NEGLIGIBLE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

negligible

adjective

ˈne-gli-jə-bəl

Definition of negligible

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention the two cents in change was such a negligible sum that she left the store without bothering to take it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minor

lacking importance the results from that small study of coffee drinkers are negligible and can be ignored

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree there's a negligible chance I may make it to the picnic, but don't count on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 negligible Traditional album sales accounted for 3,000 units, while a negligible amount of activity derived from track-equivalent sales. — Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026 Following oxidation, sulfur was no longer detectable in the bulk elemental analysis and nitrogen had fallen to a negligible trace. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 There may even be scenario B, C or D which today appears negligible and which becomes dominant because something happens that our initial model could not anticipate. — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Distances that look negligible on a map have a habit of becoming an expedition. — Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for negligible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligible

Adjective

For a nominal sum, the paper each day serves up authoritative accounts of sports events that occurred as much as a day earlier, give or take.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
The calculation refers to nominal total returns, combining coupon income and changes in the bond's market price.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of nominal

Adjective

Ayari returned to Fabian Hurzeler’s midfield alongside Pascal Gross in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Leeds United, having missed the 4-3 defeat at Chelsea with a minor injury.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
All co-defendants are accused of failing to protect a minor and negligence.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Then handle the smaller responsibilities competing for your attention.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The slight worry is that Zheng will run out of gas at some point after coming through the qualifying tournament and winning six matches in New York.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
For all their advantages, quantum technologies are extremely sensitive, and these devices can be thrown out of gear by the slightest changes in temperature or environmental noise.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

That’s right — after three straight Friday-night deadlines, Gameweek Four gets under way at 3pm on Saturday, handing you that little bit of extra time to agonise over the right moves for the next round of action.

— Ben Dinnery, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Jongmin Lee, a quantum sensing scientist at SNL, has been working to build an extremely small version of this device, one that consumes very little power and can be used in the field.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

The combination of red and purple, in particular, has already won over celebrities, whoa re adding a pop of color to their off-duty looks.

— Elise Fabre, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2026
There was no off-season film to support Callahan’s intuition, only four decades of coaching experience.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

With the possibility of an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve on September 16 not insignificant – and the likelihood that CD rates will rise in response – waiting could result in being able to secure a slightly higher rate.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
Once an $8,000 trip feels affordable, another $500 can seem insignificant.

— byDavid Schepp, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of insignificant

Adjective

Yordan Alvarez is trying to maintain his Triple Crown pursuit — and carry a top-heavy lineup — while the Astros attempt to hold on to a slim lead atop the American League West.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
But the chance of the act making it into the Senate’s Farm Bill, and thus the finalized bill, appear slim.

— Kenny Torrella, Vox, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of slim

Browse Nearby Words

negligibility

negligible

negligibly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Negligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligible. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of negligible

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes