1
as in little
of a size that is less than average a small cat who never weighed more than five pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 For the cover of the October 27, 2025, Money Issue, the artist Christoph Niemann set out to visualize how the preposterously rich pay a disproportionately small share of taxes. Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 Thanks to the masterful intervention of designer Petr Grigorash, the vintage decor of this 807-square-foot home in a small village near Como offers a fresh interpretation of a certain Northern Italian classicism. Valentina Raggi, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025 It's believed that there were four thieves, two dressed as museum workers who used small chainsaws and angle grinders to enter the Apollo Gallery, and two on scooters, per the French outlet Le Parisien. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 Maybe even small plates and pasta specials. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • In fact, little of that story line, Androsoff argues, is backed up by historical evidence.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Geiger said there's little indication that tariff fears will result in any sort of Halloween pullback by consumers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • An off smell or sour odor signals spoilage.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Virginia’s off-year races are viewed as critical bellwethers of the electorate’s mood ahead of the midterms.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Curing or drying potatoes thickens their skins, allows minor cuts and abrasions to heal, and makes spuds less likely to rot or shrivel in storage.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Prisoners are not allowed to keep money behind bars, but cash can be provided by family members to a commissary fund used to buy food, toiletries and other minor needs, according to the Prison Fellowship.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But, God, to be able to play a Pablo Escobar who was just petty and wanted friends, there was something so stupid and so hilarious about that to me.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
  • These can be petty but hard to avoid today.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The diminutive scholar and social media star offers a theory for the film’s remarkable resonance with audiences.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Skeet is a diminutive figure with short, gray hair, and a round face with prominent cheeks.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For a player of his stature, chances may be slim but never nonexistent, and that’s exactly how McIlroy sees it.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Formula 1 will join Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball in Apple TV’s sports portfolio, which is slimmer than most other streaming competitors.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Return with a slight counter-rotation and complete more reps as desired.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Looking ahead to 2026, Coke is projecting a slight tail wind to both its revenue and comparable earnings from currency fluctuations.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Aquila served as a parochial vicar in two parishes from 1976 to 1982 and then as pastor at Denver’s Guardian Angels Parish from 1982 to 1987.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Or if that is not parochial enough, there are some decent Carabao Cup ties on Tuesday, with Manchester United’s conquerors Grimsby Town going to Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace hosting Millwall, a replay of last season’s bruising FA Cup clash.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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