Definition of smallnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word small distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of small are diminutive, little, miniature, minute, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

In what contexts can diminutive take the place of small?

In some situations, the words diminutive and small are roughly equivalent. However, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of small?

The meanings of little and small largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When could miniature be used to replace small?

The words miniature and small can be used in similar contexts, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When is it sensible to use minute instead of small?

The words minute and small are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of small?

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 small The New Jersey depot opened in a small unbranded industrial facility in Carlstadt, with municipal records indicating that contractors added storage racks and refrigerators inside. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 While 88% of organizations already use generative AI in at least one function, only a small fraction has translated that into measurable financial impact. Max Votek, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 There’s a particularly tragic scene where Natalia, lured on holiday by Elsa, spots a small child innocently giggling at the table across from her at dinner. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 Yeah, that’s a nice little smaller town. AFAR Media, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • Rami feared the worst, but head coach Didier Deschamps reasoned that there was little to gain from laying down the law when the mood in the camp was so positive and elected to forgive him.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement are alarmed by the speed of the rollbacks, noting that protections won through generations of sacrifice have been weakened in little more than a decade.
    Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • La Mesa’s enforcement of reckless e-bike riding has been slim-to-none, Lothian said, noting that the police chief said the city has issued just 3 e-bike citations to date.
    Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • On the women’s side, Tracee Ellis Ross recently wore Versace’s Guanto Leather Loafers in brown, an ultra slim style with 3D Medusa hardware on the vamp.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • While minor, the crashes point to challenges in object recognition and spatial awareness, particularly in complex parking or tight urban environments.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • The Porter County Election Board worked through some minor kinks with the county’s new voting equipment during the election certification at noon on Friday in the tabulation room of the Elections & Registration Office.
    Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • Set in Gaza in 2007, and following the misadventures of a student (Nader Abd Alhay) and restaurant owner and petty criminal (Majd Eid), the picture premiered in Un Certain Regard last year and won the Best Director prize.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 May 2026
  • On Monday, the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, a former national police chief who first enforced then President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug crackdowns, in which thousands of mostly petty suspects were killed.
    ABC News, ABC News, 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
Adjective
  • Reading scores, meanwhile, continued to decline during that period, reaching their lowest point since 1990 in eighth graders and pre-2003 levels for fourth graders; only last year did some states start to see slight improvements.
    Connor Greene, Time, 16 May 2026
  • Sunny skies and warm temperatures are expected in Laurel on Saturday, with highs near 83 degrees before a slight chance of showers moves in late Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 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
  • Despite their tiny size, the devices delivered some of the strongest efficiencies reported for ultrathin perovskite solar technology.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
  • The kibble is smaller and meant for tiny mouths.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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