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

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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

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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
Does little Arabella care about going to another stuffy awards dinner with her pompous dad? — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 At the beginning of the movie, she's still traumatized by her experience on the Nostromo, and her employers at Weyland-Yutani are doing little to help. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Adverb
Peace under these conditions is little more than a postponement of hostilities, and the risks of appeasement are always high. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026 In 2024, Joe Biden sailed to the Democratic presidential nomination after a primary process that was little more than a formality, with the Florida Democratic Party even cancelling its primary in March to anoint Biden. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Noun
Adults might opt for spa treatments and relaxing in an above-water cabin but littles can spend the day snorkeling or heading of to supervised activities on the resort. — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Most are backward-looking, which does little to help workers focus on growth. — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
  1. short
  2. small
  3. narrow
  4. brief
  5. diminutive
  6. slightly
  7. rarely
  8. bit
Adjective
  • The short summer nights (and this week’s first quarter moon) may make faint aurora harder to see, with lingering twilight reducing the contrast required to spot a glow low on the northern horizon.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Despite falling just short in the final, Argentina come in third at 11 percent, highlighting how highly they are still regarded heading into the next four-year cycle.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • When states lose the authority to set their own food safety and agricultural standards, consumers and small farmers pay the price.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • That ought to be advantageous for the Spaniard, who seemed too often to run aground when trapped inside in a more narrow system.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But the school board is the most notable exception, where Republicans cling to a narrow 4-3 majority after years of bruising elections.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Assemblywoman Darshana Patel, a San Diego Democrat, research scientist and local school board member, cogently expressed that hope during the Assembly’s brief floor debate.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • For the second World Cup in a row, the final is settled deep into extra time with the only goal from a diminutive midfielder.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Despite its name, the island’s diminutive national instrument has 10 strings in five courses, and possesses a bright, sunny tone that cuts to the front of an ensemble.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adverb
  • Salvador Perez hit a homer off Padres reliever Matt Waldron, a two-run shot that moved the Royals captain slightly closer to the club’s all-time record.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2026
  • However, it will be focused higher up in the atmosphere and just bring slightly hazy skies in some areas.
    — Aleem Agha, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • Les Bleus had looked unstoppable, while La Roja had been winning but rarely impressing.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Researchers conducted the study on 365 adults between the ages of 55 and 80 who rarely ate fish and were considered to be at risk for Alzheimer’s.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 14 July 2026
Definition of rarely
Noun
  • What does that do for you, to play somebody who feels a little bit closer to you?
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
  • Pour the soy sauce mixture into the pan and stir well to combine, scraping up any brown bits.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Definition of bit

Phrases Containing little

Browse Nearby Words

litters
little
little bitty
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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on little

Nglish: Translation of little for Spanish Speakers

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