little 1 of 3

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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

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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
The specialized wedding dress retailer crafts unique dresses for the plush accessory, giving the Pop Mart little monster toy the bridal treatment in an unconventional way. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2025 From returning carts to sharing smiles in the checkout line, shoppers often engage in little acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Adverb
Some of the designers Krings champions are little known. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025 The offshore yuan was little changed on the news and China’s equity futures were yet to open. Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Noun
The pair traded holds throughout the second in a high-quality showing, both giving little away. Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Then send the littles home and catch the sequel to the ’90s slasher classics with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., who reunite alongside a new generation, including Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline. July 25 49. Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • These 'wins' may be short term and tactical but will continue to give him polling boosts as polls follow the news cycles.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 2026 battle for the Senate Republicans currently control the U.S. Senate 53-47, a narrow majority that has nonetheless helped shepherd GOP priorities through Congress along party lines.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Because the vehicle is so narrow, and because it would be classed as a motorcycle in most markets, Scholten envisions it being used to beat traffic congestion via lane-splitting (traveling between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction).
    Ben Coxworth July 11, New Atlas, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Director of football Jason Wilcox also joined, while Ruben Amorim made a brief appearance too.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Consider what those two third graders learned in their brief hallway squabble.
    Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The diminutive Argentine ghosted between defenders, leapt high behind 6ft 2in center back Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a perfect header, looping it past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into the far corner of the net.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • There was the diminutive Puck, whose tiny body could hurdle through foes like a bowling ball, and Sasquatch, the scientist Walter Langkowski who transformed into a Hulk-like mythical Great Beast of the North with but a thought.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Adverb
  • Roller coasters and senior citizens are rarely a good match.
    Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
  • That first impulse to vent or demand immediate action is rarely your friend.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • In many ways, meals are the easy bit, taken in a relaxed atmosphere where brains are working at full capacity.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • These particles include tiny bits of pollution from engines, heating systems, wildfires, and industrial activity But 2023 was a cautionary tale: wildfire smoke pushed the annual average back up to 8.7, a level not seen since the previous decade.
    Youssef Rafik, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Her tiny strides nestled among the cypress trees near the Guadalupe River.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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