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
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
as in bit
a very small amount
there's just a little of the pie left
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Alan Wooten | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
There’s little sugarcoating, and straightforwardness is his default mode.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the war's unprecedented impact, with as many as 150,000 people dead, and almost a third of the country's pre-war population displaced, there has been little concerted international action to address the crisis.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Never mind that precious little of California’s water supply originates in a southern Oregon watershed.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little
Adjective
Harrigan says billions of dollars are moving with little to no oversight.
—Alan Wooten | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
There’s little sugarcoating, and straightforwardness is his default mode.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adverb
Inflation will likely worsen in the United States, rising to about 3% by the end of this year, while it will be little changed in China, the IMF forecast.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the war's unprecedented impact, with as many as 150,000 people dead, and almost a third of the country's pre-war population displaced, there has been little concerted international action to address the crisis.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Even Williams’ performance does little to flesh her out.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Never mind that precious little of California’s water supply originates in a southern Oregon watershed.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
-
Brunson, who was hosting for a second time, began to sing about being short.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 May 2025
-
This photo provided by Guinness World Records shows Pearl, the world's shortest living dog, with Reginald, the world's tallest living dog, both certified by Guinness World Records, during a playdate in Idaho Falls, Idaho, April 5, 2025.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Although set in the small city, the movie was reportedly filmed in several locations in Louisiana.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
-
India also unleashed several punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending its participation in a water-sharing treaty that is critical for its smaller neighbor.—
Anupreeta Das,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The bone had thick walls and a narrower bone marrow cavity.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
-
Spotlights provide a narrower beam of light that is better for seeing long distances.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Inflation gauge cools ahead of Trump's tariffs, but spending climbs A key measure of inflation eased in March, offering a brief reprieve before President Donald Trump's new tariffs begin taking full effect.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The main threats will be damaging winds and large hail, but brief tornadoes can't be ruled out.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In March 2020, paleontologists reported an extraordinary finding: a diminutive skull, just over a centimeter long, preserved in amber.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Thomas is a kinetic, diminutive woman whose energy belies her years.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
There was rarely sensitivity to challenges to the international system, unless China’s interests were directly involved.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
These studios were rarely larger than a one-car garage, but the photographers’ results were as unique as their signatures.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Just kind of having a little bit of a different style of play.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2025
-
Maurice conceded to having a little bit of a fan in him while coaching in this series.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Buffett has owned tiny stakes in sports franchises during his career.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
4 May 2025
-
This single complication alone requires 123 tiny components to set its horological dance into motion.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share