as in diminutive
having a small and thin body
—usually used to describe a woman or girl
She's petite and has short black hair. a petite young woman
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petite
Featuring a subtle kick flare at the hem and chic pintuck detailing, they’re designed to hit right under the calf, or just at the ankle for petite people like myself.
—
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
Parker was a petite 5-foot-5 and only 100 pounds, according to FBI wanted signs.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
These pants are available in a petite-friendly 29-inch inseam and feature a wide contour waistband that smooths you out.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The grove is home to approximately 500 giant sequoias, some around 3,000 years old, a petite, braided, and energetic ranger informed the crowd.
—Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petite
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
Parker was a petite 5-foot-5 and only 100 pounds, according to FBI wanted signs.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
These pants are available in a petite-friendly 29-inch inseam and feature a wide contour waistband that smooths you out.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The grove is home to approximately 500 giant sequoias, some around 3,000 years old, a petite, braided, and energetic ranger informed the crowd.
—Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petite
Adjective
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Tyrannosaurus rex did, in fact, have a diminutive relative in North America.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
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That means the diminutive van measures in at a hair under 340 cm (134 in) long, roughly 59 cm (23 in) shorter than the original 2023 Toyota Kayoibako.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their father, George Atkinson, spent his entire career playing an aggressive, menacing style of football that belied his smallish 6-foot, 180-pound frame.—
Jon Becker,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
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This season, Yamamoto has demonstrated not only consistency but also durability, no minor feat considering his smallish frame.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The mini-drama trend started out predominantly in Asia but has expanded globally of late, and was a big discussion point at the recent MIPCOM Cannes as commissioners and sellers look to take advantage.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
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The rich brown leather and gold buckle combo instantly elevates even your simplest outfits, whether that’s jeans and a tee or a knit mini dress.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 Sep. 2025
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Numerous species are commercially available, from the culinary classic common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to colorful flowering groundcovers such as elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and creeping thyme (Thymus praecox).—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Look for orange trees that are compact in size, such as these dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
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For instance, dwarf and semi-dwarf trees may live for 15 to 25 years, whereas standard apple trees can easily live for over 50 years.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What actually drives culture now are micro communities.—
Sam Saideman,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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From a more micro perspective, Boss believes the group benefited from a strong start to August, driven by the Back-to-School season and early cold weather.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Earth, a tiny target in the vastness of space, would often be spared from being hit by these magnetic projectiles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes changing the world starts with a tiny needle.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Add the ginger during the last minute of cooking, then transfer the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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Martin knocked on the hunter’s small tent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petite. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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