little 1 of 3

adjective

ˈli-tᵊl How to pronounce little (audio)
Definition of littlenext
1
as in short
having relatively little height there was a little hedge separating the two lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
lacking importance there were just a few little details left to take care of

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in narrow
not broad or open in views or opinions little-minded people who dislike the fact that human society is always progressing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in brief
not lasting for a considerable time let's take a little pause to relax

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average the petting zoo has a little horse in addition to all of the goats and sheep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

little

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in slightly
in a very small quantity or degree we had little more than we needed to survive in the wilderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rarely
not often he's been studying very little for the bar exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

little

3 of 3

noun

as in bit
a very small amount there's just a little of the pie left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The specialized wedding dress retailer crafts unique dresses for the plush accessory, giving the Pop Mart little monster toy the bridal treatment in an unconventional way. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2025 From returning carts to sharing smiles in the checkout line, shoppers often engage in little acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Adverb
Some of the designers Krings champions are little known. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025 The offshore yuan was little changed on the news and China’s equity futures were yet to open. —Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Noun
The pair traded holds throughout the second in a high-quality showing, both giving little away. —Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Then send the littles home and catch the sequel to the ’90s slasher classics with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., who reunite alongside a new generation, including Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline. July 25 49. —Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
  1. short
  2. small
  3. narrow
  4. brief
  5. diminutive
  6. rarely
  7. bit
  8. tiny
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    — Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Along the way, people asked him to orchestrate short pieces, then conduct some sessions.
    — George Bradt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.
    — Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of small
Adjective
  • The 2026 battle for the Senate Republicans currently control the U.S. Senate 53-47, a narrow majority that has nonetheless helped shepherd GOP priorities through Congress along party lines.
    — Riley Beggin, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • The class approved in New Hampshire is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who wanted to include parents, but attorneys said that wouldn't make a material difference.
    — HOLLY RAMER, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Individual games through an 18-week season are so variable that sports books generally don’t offer odds for every single game in a season for more than just a brief moment to create headlines.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • The scene grew chaotic after immigration agents tried to arrest Baraka for trespassing, and McIver's elbows appeared to make brief contact with an immigration officer.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • The diminutive Argentine ghosted between defenders, leapt high behind 6ft 2in center back Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a perfect header, looping it past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into the far corner of the net.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • There was the diminutive Puck, whose tiny body could hurdle through foes like a bowling ball, and Sasquatch, the scientist Walter Langkowski who transformed into a Hulk-like mythical Great Beast of the North with but a thought.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Definition of diminutive
Adverb
  • Roller coasters and senior citizens are rarely a good match.
    — Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
  • That first impulse to vent or demand immediate action is rarely your friend.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of rarely
Noun
  • With Clarke coming into Casa, things just clicked a little bit more easily, and things gelled together with them more.
    — Leia Mendoza, Variety, 12 July 2025
  • Runners-up in that Royal Box race for best-hair-on-a-couple are Louis Partridge and Olivia Rodrigo, who manage to look spanking fresh and somehow, just that little bit more relaxed and at home than Mr. and Mrs. Jonas.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of bit
Adjective
  • One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay.
    — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • The film community of Vancouver Island is tiny compared to the City of Vancouver’s Hollywood North hub.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of tiny

Phrases Containing little

Browse Nearby Words

litters
little
little bitty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on little

Nglish: Translation of little for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

A Guide to Using Semicolons

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All