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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
That could always change, but there is currently little indication that the company is preparing a major push. Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026 This little green creature then tries to help the Minions find more monsters to flesh out their film, a plan that unsurprisingly goes awry. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Adverb
Stock futures are little changed this morning following a winning week for all three major indexes. Alex Harring, CNBC, 11 May 2026 For the remainder of the runtime, a narrator explained in voiceover, the movie was little more than a nonstop parade of smiling actors and rearranged props. Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 10 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
  • Meanwhile, Lombard’s strong arm and slick glove would be underutilized if positioned away from short or third.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
  • The report said prosecutors at the time sought a significantly longer sentence, but a judge imposed a shorter term that drew criticism from the district attorney’s office.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • Eggs, sushi, and crypto The account paid attention to smaller stories, too.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
  • East is a boutique hotel, some condos, and a small residential neighborhood with a few local restaurants.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The five-time Masters champ was arrested March 27 on a DUI charge after the crash, which occurred when his Land Rover SUV attempted to pass a pickup truck pulling a pressure-cleaner trailer on a narrow, two-lane road in the Treasure Coast town.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
  • The company also topped revenue expectations for the first quarter and posted a narrower-than-expected loss than analysts anticipated, according to FactSet.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • This brief genius window can make strategy clearer, reveal missing pieces, and turn vague ideas into usable next steps.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
  • Concentrate and take care of the ball During his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior frequently lamented Chelsea’s inability to take care of moments.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • First off, he was surprised by the number of diminutive people looking to take a punch at him, the way Apollo Creed did his alter-ego Rocky Balboa — starting with Paddy Chayefsky, the playwright and Network screenwriter who was up against Stallone for Best Screenplay.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 16 May 2026
  • His comparatively diminutive size, combined with his explosiveness and strength, ultimately proved a unique asset rather than a liability.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
Adverb
  • Yolo County’s homeless population declined slightly over the past two years, but nearly two-thirds of the people counted in January were living outdoors as county leaders considered millions of dollars in cuts to the services many rely on.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
  • Now, the qualifying procedure — which was already slightly altered from previous years — is getting altered again.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Adverb
  • Beds are plush, and rooms are well insulated from outside noise, which matters in a city that rarely quiets down.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • No, but talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s pedigree comes to market (if that truly is the case) so rarely, that such a possibility has to be prioritized.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Everyone is at least a little bit flawed.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • Except for the Kentucky Derby winner going for the Triple Crown, the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes has a little bit of everything.
    Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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