little 1 of 3

adjective

ˈli-tᵊl How to pronounce little (audio)
Definition of littlenext
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

little

2 of 3

adverb

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

little

3 of 3

noun

as in bit
a very small amount there's just a little of the pie left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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
While cultivating, move as little soil as possible to limit the number of weed seeds brought to the surface to germinate. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026 The air in the room changed immediately, terrifying little Liza. —Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Olympic swimming, by contrast, offers even its gold medalists very little in the way of funding. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026 Clearly, there are aspects of this Paris house’s past that are still little known, despite Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain army and Christophe Decarnin’s raging aughts success. —Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
All of us — grownups, littles and bigs — send our love and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. —Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
  1. short
  2. small
  3. narrow
  4. brief
  5. diminutive
  6. slightly
  7. rarely
  8. bit
Adjective
  • The ceremony Sunday was a long-in-coming coronation for Anderson, a San Fernando Valley native who made his first short at age 18 and has been one of America's most lionized filmmakers for decades.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
  • On Kalshi, the biggest upset of Oscar night came in the short film category, where a tie was given a 1% of chance of paying off.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Modern warfare has shown that traditional radar systems often struggle to identify and monitor many small drones flying together.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Adjust a subscription or renegotiate a small fee, then record the change, because tracking progress reinforces confidence and protects your careful planning.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • Uncompensated seizure under the land-expropriation law can only be pursued under narrow circumstances—when land is unused or has been abandoned, for example—and the program seemingly has yet to seize any property.
    — Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • While competitors use narrower aspect ratios, Apple is expected to adopt a wider ratio for the inner display.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Traditional mechanical breakers take milliseconds to interrupt a fault, a brief but dangerous window where an arc flash, or dangerous, high-temperature electrical explosion, can occur.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Gaither spent three days stranded in Doha after only intending to make a brief stop there following an African safari.
    — Timia Cobb Breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Chinese-speaking netizens were amused by the story, and in particular the absurd display of cops escorting the diminutive android.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Despite its diminutive size, there are some big (quite literally) reasons to visit Terlingua.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adverb
  • Midway through the third quarter, Ralston Valley pushed the ball in transition with the Jaguars falling slightly out of control.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Overall sentiment only declined slightly in March, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment, but the survey was only half completed when the attack was launched on Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • The Roundup also featured vendors selling specialty items rarely found in traditional retail stores.
    — Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Police rarely, if ever, took them seriously.
    — John Archibald, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of rarely
Noun
  • With a swell of applause and a burst of smoke and explosions, Fuerza closed out the night — an apt ending for a band that isn’t afraid to break the rules a little bit.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
  • For scuff marks or sticky buildup, Stein likes to use a slightly stronger vinegar solution or a damp cloth with a tiny bit of dish soap.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of bit

Phrases Containing little

Browse Nearby Words

litters
little
little bitty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on little

Nglish: Translation of little for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jejune

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

What does 'etcetera' mean?

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

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we say 'get out of Dodge'?

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
book-magic-glow
Famous Novels, First Lines Quiz Can you identify these novels by their famous fir...
See All