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

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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

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
But we writers of historical fiction should never forget, in our focus on the vast sweep of time and change, that the symphony itself is composed of lots of little songs. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 How common any sort of voluntary AI disclosure would actually be is unknown, as artists have little incentive to self-report given the stigma around AI music, and those using AI for fraudulent purposes certainly aren’t looking to be transparent. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026
Adverb
Most urban Russians in those days were little more than one generation removed from their peasant roots, so just about everyone remembered the relevant skills. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026 Likewise, the way mathematicians pursue that feeling has changed little over the centuries. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026
Noun
Adults might opt for spa treatments and relaxing in an above-water cabin but littles can spend the day snorkeling or heading of to supervised activities on the resort. — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Most are backward-looking, which does little to help workers focus on growth. — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 May 2026 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
  • One of the easiest make-ahead dishes is a stir-fry, and a short ingredient list adds to its appeal.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026
  • This short-sleeve tee is wrinkle-resistant and has a crew neckline.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Weist herself appears in a brief introductory clip before the performance proper.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who represents both Russell and Flores, argued in both cases that prosecutors had made unusual decisions to charge the deputies with civil rights violations for brief, one-off choices.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Diaz is diminutive, a creative left-footer who is more of a No 10 from the right, coming narrow to allow full-back Hakimi to push on.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • Fossils unearthed by archaeologists in the Liang Bua cave on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003 led to the discovery of the diminutive hominin.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adverb
  • Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn hit a flyout to Crow-Armstrong, who zigzagged a bit before making a slightly awkward catch for the first out of the frame.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Their menu is seasonal and slightly whimsical while retaining a clear vision, a good representation of the many personalities that make up the Kimball House team.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • Infections, other immune-system stressors and, more rarely, brain injuries may also contribute in genetically susceptible individuals.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Even so, there’s rarely a backup of more than one hole, which is a credit to the course design and its wide selection of distances off the tee.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Definition of rarely
Noun
  • This pacing problem extends to subplots like the Henry-in-a-coma bit.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Scientists pointed out that the abrasion bit the rover used to expose the rocks was sterilized before launch and has cut into other rocks across Jezero without ever producing a G-band this strong.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
Definition of bit

Phrases Containing little

Browse Nearby Words

litters
little
little bitty
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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of little for Spanish Speakers

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