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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
So how will Stevie, who shares a bedroom with her obnoxious little brother, Elliot (Elias Janssen), keep the family together? Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Nov. 2025 Especially at the sport’s mid and lower tiers, athletes receive little compensation with few prospects for a lucrative pro career. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025 Although Berda was little known outside of France, his activities as a TV producer and visionary media exec were seminal at home. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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 Pumpkin patches, sticker jeans, and some littles who take Halloween very seriously. Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • Ehrlich noted the short careers for college athletes and wondered whether a union for collective bargaining is even possible.
    ANDREW DESTIN, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This short-sleeve pullover top is paired with a wide-leg pant to keep me cozy just about wherever my day takes me.
    Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • During this time frame, a narrow, intense lake-effect snow band, only about 10 miles wide, will be capable of thunder, wind gusts near 35 mph and near-zero visibility at its peak.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • After a brief interlude outside for community members to reconnect, the pews filled up again.
    Camelia Heins, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The trailer shows Damon as Odysseus and brief glimpses at his life during the Trojan War (including the iconic Trojan Horse) and his years-long journey back to his homeland.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Spanning 828 square feet, the diminutive house stands a block and a half from Long Branch Beach.
    Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Tyrannosaurus rex did, in fact, have a diminutive relative in North America.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • One slightly wrong rate in a budget, procurement forecast, or loan estimate easily moves millions of dollars in the wrong direction.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Pale pink flower clusters that appear on the light green foliage in summer, slightly earlier than other sedum varieties.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Tracy leads a tailgate team at Beck’s games On game days, Tracy is rarely cheering alone.
    Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Inside the Speedster, drivers will find elements rarely seen in EVs, including a stick-style shifter.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Like so many other bits of Times coverage, the whole of the piece is structured as an orchestrated encounter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Lyon’s magnetism touches the entire cast, but her bits with both Killam’s Boone and Chenoweth’s Tammy really leap off the screen.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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