1
as in little
of a size that is less than average
a small cat who never weighed more than five pounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in off
small in degree
your chances of winning the lottery are so small that it's best not to count on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in minor
lacking importance
reluctant to bring such a small matter to the boss's attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in petty
not broad or open in views or opinions
townspeople who were helpful to one another but who also could be small and intolerant
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small
The team used a small weed-like plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, for the study.
—
New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Larger hosta varieties provide a dramatic contrast to the smaller skeleton flowers.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Placing smaller sections of wallpaper along the borders of an archway or the front of steps on staircases can highlight these unique elements, or bring more personality to builder-grade blank canvas spaces.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026
Zhang's store is located in Yiwu, home to China's largest wholesale market for small commodities.
—Emma Li, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small
New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Larger hosta varieties provide a dramatic contrast to the smaller skeleton flowers.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Placing smaller sections of wallpaper along the borders of an archway or the front of steps on staircases can highlight these unique elements, or bring more personality to builder-grade blank canvas spaces.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026
Zhang's store is located in Yiwu, home to China's largest wholesale market for small commodities.
—Emma Li, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
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The importance of motive At this point, there’s little to suggest the motive is political or ideological, Leising said.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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The big-tech releases from last week did little to calm nerves stateside, while some of Europe's biggest names are preparing to report this week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Though no date has been set, the Dodgers will play three games in Washington from April 3 to 5, with an off day April 2 following a six-game homestand to open the season.—
Ed Guzman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Both companies are known for their off-Loop musicals and are longtime favorites of the all-volunteer Joseph Jefferson Awards committee.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Aside from the three fatalities, four people were hospitalized including two men, both 35, who were in critical condition, and two other men, 37 and 38, who sustained minor injuries, according to the fire department.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Of the more than 70,000 people currently in immigration detention facilities, only about 25% of them have any kind of criminal conviction, which can include traffic violations and other minor offenses, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, which tracks detention data.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But Putin was not going to launch a new war against Turkey’s rebel allies just to save a petty dictator whose own soldiers were deserting.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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Ruling like a petty tyrant from the company’s headquarters in lower Manhattan, Coplan isn’t an easy boss to work with, according to new reporting by the Wall Street Journal.—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 4,
Futurism,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hummingbirds are attracted to a number of flowering plants, but many people choose to install hummingbird feeders to attract these diminutive, fast-flying birds.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
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While the Heat over the years have succeeded with smaller guards, the majority of success stories with those of diminutive stature are those with stockier builds, such as Tim Hardaway, Goran Dragic, Kyle Lowry or even current bulldog Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Pair your pick with easygoing trousers and pumps to dress it up, or go with track pants and slim sneakers for a more casual look.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
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But, if history is any indicator, its chances are slim.—
Todd Longwell,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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On Friday, there was only a slight danger of avalanches in Slovakia's highest mountain range.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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Sateen weave bedding also tends to have a slight sheen with a drapey design, and an opulent feel right out of the package, Brenot points out.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Experts believe the crown’s flexible mount was strained when thieves wrenched it from its display through a narrow slot cut by the angle grinder, according to a report by the Louvre.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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While investigators continue to evaluate the validity of the notes, some Americans may wonder if the Bitcoin address would be enough to find the culprit or at least narrow the search for the kidnapper.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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