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Definition of littlenext
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little

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adverb

little

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word little distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of little are diminutive, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When is diminutive a more appropriate choice than little?

Although the words diminutive and little have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

In what contexts can miniature take the place of little?

The synonyms miniature and little are sometimes interchangeable, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When would minute be a good substitute for little?

The words minute and little can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of little?

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 little
Adjective
This little senior guy named Max can't wait to light up your life. Providence Journal, The Providence Journal, 21 Feb. 2026 There is very little storage space. Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Shares were little changed on Wednesday after earlier falling about 5%. Reuters wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026 Mikel Arteta’s side has been built through several years of significant transfer investment, and 2025-26 was little different. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
These bags offer warmth, safety, and peace of mind for parents who want to bring their littles on all of their camping trips. Joe Jackson, Outside, 18 Nov. 2025 Kaling loves to share a look into life with her three littles, Katherine, Spencer and Anne, but never posts the kids' faces. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • Two patchy, short ceasefires limited to energy infrastructure.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Schedule a tour of the distillery in the morning, then take the short drive to Dunluce Castle, one of the most picturesque castles in the country.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But the proposal would only actually impact a small few — billionaires.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The first call for help was a silent text message from an emergency beacon, mobilizing a small army of rescuers dispatched from different directions.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The goal was for the GOP to hold onto a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power in midterms.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The narrow waterway, just 21 miles wide, serves as a pinch point for 20 million barrels of crude every day, about one-fifth of global production.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Suns opened the fourth with a 9-0 run, but a 3-pointer by Harper, followed by an and-one White floater and another three by Scheierman, snuffed out the brief rally.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Our snow chances are set to return on Sunday, with a brief round of morning snow looking possible according to model data.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Director Harry Lighton transposed the story from the 1970s to the present, casting a hulking Alexander Skarsgård as the gorgeous and emotionally remote biker Ray, and Melling as the shy, diminutive parking attendant who submits himself to Ray.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The diminutive playmaker was dominated and overwhelmed in midfield.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • One of my favorite spots was the Social Club, which carries a refined, slightly speakeasy feel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
  • March brings with it the prospect of longer, lighter days (thank you, Daylight Savings), slightly warmer weather, and overall happier moods.
    Christina Perrier, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • Solar-thermal collectors absorb visible and infrared light relatively well, yet their efficiency is constrained by surface coatings that rarely achieve near-total absorption.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The 2024 cast member has generated the kind of obsessive fan conversation that rarely attaches to a reality TV contestant this early in a season.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That legitimizes it a little bit.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Larger objects in an avalanche tend to stay near the snow’s surface, while smaller bits of debris get buried.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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