LEAST Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

least 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of least

as in lowest

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

least

2 of 2

noun

as in nobody

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 least

Adjective

The companies that win this phase of AI adoption will not be those that use it the most or those that spend the least. — Paul Keary, Fortune, 23 July 2026 At the very least, prepare for an interview by Google researching your employer. — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026

Noun

The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process. — David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019 Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend). — Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018 See All Example Sentences for least

Recent Examples of Synonyms for least

Adjective

According to Johannes, that lifespan is expected to be between 20 and 25 years while requiring only minimal routine maintenance, largely focused on cleaning the solar panels.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Yeah catch my eye, but the threat of rain and minimal space in my carry-on keeps me moving.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 July 2026

Definition of minimal

Noun

Yvonne and Nick’s disastrous wedding dinner is the day the cast went from nobodies to actual practitioners of the reality-television arts and sciences.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Definition of nobody

Adjective

Princeton University professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor offered another corollary to the reparations debate, arguing in her book From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation that reparations cannot be reduced to mere policy prescriptions.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Even during the fall of Troy, Odysseus becomes a mere witness to the terror his men inflict more than a participant.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Definition of mere

Noun

While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

Definition of nothing

Noun

In certain metal samples, fusion occurred about a quintillion times—a 1 followed by 18 zeroes—more often than in reactions without a host material.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
Starting with Andrew Morris retiring José Ramírez on a popout to end the eighth inning, Twins relievers posted zeroes.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of zero

Noun

During the Biden Administration, Pakistan had become a virtual pariah in Washington, or had been reduced to a nonentity, as the United States left Afghanistan and saw India as a means of countering China.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
All Dickens heroes are complete nonentities who know 217 wacky people.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of nonentity

Browse Nearby Words

leasing

least

leasts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/least. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of least

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on least

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sultry

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes