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Definition of littlenext
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little

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adverb

little

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word little distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of little are diminutive, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When is diminutive a more appropriate choice than little?

Although the words diminutive and little have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

In what contexts can miniature take the place of little?

The synonyms miniature and little are sometimes interchangeable, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When would minute be a good substitute for little?

The words minute and little can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of little?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of little
Adjective
There is very little fruit and no refined sugars (the birch syrup in the mocktails is actually much nicer anyway). Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026 It’s been such a pleasure to be able to talk with other people who care as deeply about all these little details and then try to shape that into an experience that will reach a new, wide audience. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Adverb
That’s little changed from 39 million last year. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 20 May 2026 The fire department was little more than a bucket brigade. Arkansas Online, 19 May 2026
Noun
There are a host of other things available to entertain your littles, tweens, and teens around town, including The Butterfly Conservatory, Eco-Discovery Center, Shipwreck Museum, and Truman Waterfront Park’s splash pad. Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026 More than half of littles were developmentally ready for kindergarten. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • For a shorter jog or walk, also with stunning views of the bay, take the path around the back of the hotel on Brickell Bay Drive, then go down Brickell Ave and take a lap around Brickell Key island.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
  • That disconnect is where many appointments fall short.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • The hit was a small smudge on Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley’s line, finishing with two strikeouts and three hits across the five innings.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
  • Four nations will be making their debut next month, including tiny Curaçao, the smallest by population ever to qualify.
    James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the end, the Basecamp V3 looks like an impressively small, capable trailer ready to carry all types of gear from its every free square inch - a high-capacity tiny hauler built to tow over rougher, narrower, steeper terrain than drivers towing larger trailers would ever dare try.
    C.C. Weiss May 22, New Atlas, 22 May 2026
  • But most memorably, the Bellucci plays a lonely, melancholy artist living on the farm whose role holds the key to the movie’s (however narrow) emotional strengths.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Most notably, there was never any true competition at center, outside of Johnson’s brief stint.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • In fact, Heilbrun doesn’t tell the story of Finn’s death at all, except for a very brief mention that sets the stage for the story.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Winifried — whose preferred diminutive, also the name of the demon inside her, is Fred, not Winnie — isn’t the one being spooked here.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
  • That is what these playoffs have provided for Hutson, allowing more eyeballs to take in the well-roundedness of his game despite his diminutive size and his flashy offensive skills that can often divert the attention of those eyeballs elsewhere.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Adverb
  • The Shenzhou spacecraft is similar to, but also slightly larger than, Russia's Soyuz crew spacecraft.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026
  • The Golden Nugget Atlantic City offers a slightly more low-key alternative to some of the larger casino resorts nearby.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Adverb
  • The ruling from the Senate parliamentarian is advisory, but such rulings are rarely if ever ignored when lawmakers put together legislation that can pass with a simple majority.
    Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • The Miura is rarely lauded as a great driver’s car, after all.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Northwestern let a little bit of suspense creep in during the second half of its NCAA Tournament semifinal Friday evening at Martin Stadium.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Leicester did their bit, eventually winning 2-1, but Everton were also leading 1-0 — until a fake rumour circulated inside the stadium that Bournemouth had levelled the scores.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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