PETITE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

petite

adjective

Definition of petite

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

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

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 petite Another had to be fitted with a smaller shotgun to match her petite frame and struggled through the first two days without making a shot. — Heide Brandes, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 The heels appear to be the Jimmy Choo Max sandals, which are a red carpet staple, especially for petite stars like Kardashian, Becky G and Jenna Ortega. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 The slender metal frame swoops into a graceful curve, with a petite tray branching off to one side—a perfect perch for your favorite candle or a warm drink. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026 Shop them in petite and standard sizes with four different colors for every outfit. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for petite

Adjective

In the front hall, guests might be entranced by the view up a floating staircase to a catwalk set against a sloping wall of glass, or to the mysterious circular skylight, diminutive and off center, like a wormhole.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Nov. 2026
The move toward more diminutive items was a departure for USM, but each nevertheless featured the brand’s signature metal frame.

— Helena Madden, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of diminutive

Adjective

Nature’s finger food is a high-effort, modest-yield treat, like shellfish or certain nuts, where a lot of work goes into exposing a smallish bit of what’s edible.

— The Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
In the background of the painting is a portrait within a portrait of two dogs, a black-and-white toy spaniel named Mina and a smallish tan greyhound named Die, next to a large urn.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of smallish

Adjective

The holy grail of mini ballpoint pens is the Lamy Pico ($39), available in neon colors, and half the size of a normal pen, with a sleek design and an ingenious telescopic mechanism for releasing the tip.

— Nicholas Blechman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026
Think of it like a mini summer camp devoted to obsessive ambition.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of mini

Adjective

An elfin force of nature with the natural showmanship of someone who takes hospitality seriously, Leo has the charisma to command the loyalty of his fresh-faced staff—and the pragmatism to resent the Labour Party’s business reforms.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
That effort also brought back the rare frosted elfin butterfly for the first time in decades.

— Diana Stralberg, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025

Definition of elfin

Adjective

Bare-root fruit trees that produce fruit the fastest are typically dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Adjective

More efficient micro-LED transmitters could eventually help data centers increase communication speeds without relying exclusively on power-hungry lasers.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
For brands, that means relevance may come less from chasing micro trends and more from making room for distinct communities and creative voices.

— Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026