little 1 of 3

Definition of littlenext
1
2
3
4
5

little

2 of 3

adverb

little

3 of 3

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
The most immediate points of stress are in a handful of fuel-import-reliant countries in Asia, with traders pointing to Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan and the Philippines as the biggest worries, potentially hitting critical levels of supplies in as little as a month. Grant Smith, Fortune, 9 May 2026 This is unfair to the people experiencing homelessness in need of effective services, and unfair to taxpayers who see yet more of their money wasted with little to show for it. Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Adverb
The plot is little more than an excuse to string together a series of fight scenes, emulating the experience of playing the games. Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 7 May 2026 These projects can typically be completed in a day or a long weekend, and many require little more than basic tools and a modest budget. Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026
Noun
There are a host of other things available to entertain your littles, tweens, and teens around town, including The Butterfly Conservatory, Eco-Discovery Center, Shipwreck Museum, and Truman Waterfront Park’s splash pad. Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026 More than half of littles were developmentally ready for kindergarten. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Lombard’s strong arm and slick glove would be underutilized if positioned away from short or third.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
  • The report said prosecutors at the time sought a significantly longer sentence, but a judge imposed a shorter term that drew criticism from the district attorney’s office.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • August 23 – September 22 One small fix today could make everything run better.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • These mad scientists then trained a small flock of sheep to recognize four celebrities—Emma Watson, Barack Obama, Jake Gyllenhaal, and the BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce—from their pictures on the internet.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Rebecca Green, a law professor and director of the Election Law Program at William & Mary Law School in Virginia, said the court there rejected the redistricting plan based on narrow grounds pertaining to Virginia law on amending the state Constitution, which doesn’t apply in California.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • Their job is to create a fire line, clearing a narrow strip of land down to soil and removing flammable vegetation to help slow or stop the fire's spread.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • This brief genius window can make strategy clearer, reveal missing pieces, and turn vague ideas into usable next steps.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
  • Concentrate and take care of the ball During his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior frequently lamented Chelsea’s inability to take care of moments.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • But after three games in the first round of the playoffs, with the Knicks down to the Atlanta Hawks, 2–1, Brown put Towns with the ball at the three-point line, and the diminutive Brunson darted toward the center.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
  • In New York, Kathy Butterly’s diminutive pieces sold out at James Cohan at $45,000 each.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Adverb
  • Many eclipse chasers ignored South America's total solar eclipse in 2019, which was short and predicted by some to be cloudy, for a slightly longer, supposedly clearer one in 2020 in almost the same place.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
  • Later, the Moon squares the Sun in your sign, making pacing feel slightly strained.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Adverb
  • Beds are plush, and rooms are well insulated from outside noise, which matters in a city that rarely quiets down.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • No, but talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s pedigree comes to market (if that truly is the case) so rarely, that such a possibility has to be prioritized.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The Iowa State product looks every bit of a near 6-foot-9 measurement, and started at right tackle for rookie units in 11-on-11 team periods.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
  • In the end, Wave FC (6-3, 18 points) just had a little bit more firepower to sink Angel City FC (3-4, nine points) to a fourth consecutive loss.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 10 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on little

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