as in lowest
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as in nobody
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Recent Examples of least
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 June 2026
Breast, liver, colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer risks declined significantly; kidney and prostate declined somewhat; pancreatic cancer rates were affected the least.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 9 June 2026
August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for least
Adjective
At least 21 people were arrested following Monday night's Game 3 of the championship series played at Madison Square Garden, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 June 2026
Breast, liver, colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer risks declined significantly; kidney and prostate declined somewhat; pancreatic cancer rates were affected the least.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 9 June 2026
Noun
Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year.
—August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for least
Recent Examples of Synonyms for least
Adjective
-
The university kept the building from falling apart, but maintenance and groundskeeping were minimal.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Physical controls include minimal HVAC buttons, manually adjustable vents, steering wheel controls for the ADAS systems and the sound system’s volume knob.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Unlike some of his more strapping forebears (think Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner, or Aaron Eckhart), Odenkirk specializes in nobodies and normals: people one would not expect to be killing machines.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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After all, why listen to a podcast with two nobodies co-hosting when a listener can get an hour from a familiar celebrity.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When Krick and Stagg enter the command boardroom to present their opposing cases mere hours before a decision must be made, the film slips into a type of courtroom drama of stormy exchanges from the benches, with both Stagg and Krick pulling out all the stops to get their forecasts approved.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
The mere presence of Hezbollah fighters in the dock shattered the group’s long-standing aura of impunity in Lebanon.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
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
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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
Adjective
-
Your little girl was a little -- your littlest girl was a little naughty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
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All of our top picks for the littlest kids are $30 or less today.—
Clint Davis,
PEOPLE,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Just trying to go out there and put up zeros or a one to keep the team in the game.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
That’s a 13-run fourth inning, sandwiched around eight zeroes.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The women earned as little as $25 per game—or frequently zilch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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Reviews have been mixed, with some critics embracing Gyllenhaal’s bold vision and others dismissing it as a whole lot of sound and fury, signifying zilch.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
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
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All Dickens heroes are complete nonentities who know 217 wacky people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/least. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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