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 slim
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
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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
Regardless of some small-market, low-revenue teams’ ability to construct some of the best teams in baseball — the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians are perennial winners under the current system — large-market, big-payroll teams have won the past 10 World Series.
—
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Teams evolve at different speeds, innovation concentrates among a small subset of employees, and trust across the organization weakens.
—Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
However, the small differences in the moon’s brightness and size won’t be obvious to the naked eye.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 May 2026
Potpourri in a small bowl also provides a strong counter smell in the bathroom.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for small
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Teams evolve at different speeds, innovation concentrates among a small subset of employees, and trust across the organization weakens.
—Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
However, the small differences in the moon’s brightness and size won’t be obvious to the naked eye.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 May 2026
Potpourri in a small bowl also provides a strong counter smell in the bathroom.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
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When Gary Vernon began riding mountain bikes in Arkansas almost 40 years ago, there was very little infrastructure intended for riders without deep experience—or a devil-may-care attitude.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Emergency reserves have little oil to spare and fuel stockpiles are facing critical lows as peak summer demand months approach.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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The Iowa district, which spans the southeastern corner of the state, has a history of close races, with Miller-Meeks defeating her Democratic opponents by slim margins.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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The open-toe sandal has a slim strap across the toes, a narrow diagonal strap that runs across the foot and a delicate ankle strap with a tonal buckle.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The postmortem highlighted nearly two dozen laws that the city attorney’s office identified as affecting Meridian city business, some requiring minor tweaks to standard practices and others necessitating city-code overhauls.—
Rose Evans
June 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 June 2026
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His identity is not being made public after Roach issued an order on Friday barring public identification of any minor witnesses.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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When a conversation ends without a real answer, when a situation is explained away rather than actually explained, the discomfort is not neurotic or petty.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Despite its unnerving intimacy, which suggests either erotic pursuit or familiar proximity, the diminutive print calls to mind the photos of Saul Leiter, a figure surprisingly unmentioned in Ghirri’s essays despite his frequent fond allusions to American street photography.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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One of the other creatures parked in Clark’s Backrooms nest is a diminutive entity in velvety red that strongly recalls a still, silent version of the Little Man From Another Place, a signature character from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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The 37 mm case, integrated bracelet, and dial are crafted in 18-karat gold, with the eight white-gold screws on the bezel providing only the slightest bit of contrast.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
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Pivoting effortlessly from family man to ruthless felon, Cranston once again puts his acting range on full display, with a nuanced performance that is underscored by the knowledge that the slightest misstep could cost him — and his family — their lives.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie told CNN that rescue divers were teaching the villagers how to dive out of the cave themselves, as the space is narrow and water levels are not coming down despite efforts to pump the water out.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Delegates to the state conventions don’t mirror the broader electorate, and their candidate selections can often represent more narrow preference of the party base.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
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Tribby, of Miles City, noted that, absent a court ruling that defines the legality of corner crossing in Montana, the PLPW council should consider access corridors rather than single-point access to a tiny corner that might be on a steep sidehill or monumented by a tree.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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