Synonyms of small

small

adjective

ˈsmȯl 

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

• little
• diminutive
• tiny
• pocket
• fine
• slight
• smallish
• miniature
• sparse
• puny
• dinky
• dwarf
• slender
• pocket-size
• undersized
• mini
• poor
• dwarfish
• pygmy
• subnormal
• minuscule
• spare
• half-pint
• Lilliputian
• stunted
• miniaturized
• lacking
• microscopic
• shrimpy
• pint-size
• toylike
• micro
• bantam
• insufficient
• inadequate
• teeny
• infinitesimal
• toy
• scarce
• teensy
• bitty
• slim
• wee
• meager
• scrubby
• minim
• scant
• skimpy
• scanty
• little bitty
• minute
• inappreciable
• pinpoint
• weeny
• stingy
• teeny-weeny
• wanting
• teensy-weensy
• runty
• deficient
• capsule
• runtish
• minikin
• bite-size
• skimp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• large
• big
• substantial
• considerable
• sizable
• great
• massive
• huge
• handsome
• grand
• enormous
• goodly
• vast
• bulky
• giant
• gigantic
• oversize
• tidy
• outsize
• whopping
• tremendous
• husky
• voluminous
• hefty
• immense
• mountainous
• largish
• colossal
• gross
• monumental
• gargantuan
• mammoth
• prodigious
• generous
• monolithic
• monstrous
• ample
• cavernous
• stupendous
• appreciable
• heroic
• abundant
• biggish
• jumbo
• staggering
• healthy
• galactic
• plentiful
• liberal
• titanic
• wide
• copious
• herculean
• boxcar
• bountiful
• broad
• thick
• Himalayan
• humongous
• king-size
• overscale
• whacking
• fat
• plenteous
• hulking
• elephantine
• sufficient
• adequate
• infinite
• enough
• cyclopean
• Brobdingnagian
• cosmic
• leviathan
• pharaonic
• immeasurable
• incalculable
• boundless
• Bunyanesque

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

• off
• slim
• slight
• outside
• negligible
• remote
• fragile
• tiny
• marginal
• minimal
• minor
• little
• frail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• large
• good
• great
• significant
• distinct
• substantial
• considerable
• sizable
• healthy
• respectable
• largish
• goodly
• tidy

3

as in minor

lacking importance

reluctant to bring such a small matter to the boss's attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minor
• little
• slight
• trivial
• insignificant
• unimportant
• worthless
• negligible
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• incidental
• inconsequential
• petty
• minute
• frivolous
• foolish
• small-fry
• Mickey Mouse
• nugatory
• neither here nor there
• fiddling
• one-horse
• obscure
• anonymous
• small-time
• unknown
• jerkwater
• paltry
• nameless
• nickel-and-dime
• uncelebrated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• major
• big
• important
• substantial
• significant
• meaningful
• momentous
• weighty
• fatal
• dominant
• consequential
• decisive
• principal
• prominent
• eventful
• material
• chief
• remarkable
• outstanding
• impressive
• distinctive
• valuable
• fateful
• exceptional
• great
• overriding
• worthy
• overbearing
• worthwhile
• unfrivolous
• distinguished
• basic
• famous
• eminent
• prestigious
• fundamental
• key
• illustrious
• essential
• notorious
• overmastering
• renowned
• all-important
• preeminent

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• petty
• narrow
• parochial
• little
• provincial
• insular
• stubborn
• sectarian
• Lilliputian
• narrow-minded
• picayune
• rigid
• limited
• small-minded
• illiberal
• partial
• partisan
• obstinate
• wrongheaded
• bigoted
• ironbound
• discriminatory
• biased
• obdurate
• intolerant
• discriminating
• opinionated
• reactionary
• stodgy
• unsophisticated
• inflexible
• old-fashioned
• dogmatic
• unyielding
• straitlaced
• hidebound
• set
• opinionative
• prejudiced
• jaundiced
• one-sided
• stuffy
• brassbound
• hick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• liberal
• receptive
• cosmopolitan
• tolerant
• catholic
• objective
• impartial
• unbiased
• unprejudiced
• nonpartisan
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• freethinking

Synonym Chooser

How is the word small distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of small are diminutive, little, miniature, minute, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

In what contexts can diminutive take the place of small?

In some situations, the words diminutive and small are roughly equivalent. However, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of small?

The meanings of little and small largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When could miniature be used to replace small?

The words miniature and small can be used in similar contexts, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When is it sensible to use minute instead of small?

The words minute and small are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of small?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of small

When the doors pop open, expect a menu that includes Florida stone crab and oyster shooters, along with caviar service, hot and chilled small plates and handhelds. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026

The simplicity of a compact shoulder bag is invaluable for date nights, running errands, or getting drinks with friends — especially if that purse is spacious enough for a phone, wallet, lipstick, and other small necessities. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Instead, Lohan put her right hand in the shot, showing off a bubble bath pink natural nail polish as well as a small red star tattoo. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

Available in 19 colors, this slim, zippered wallet features eight separate pockets to keep your cables, memory cards, backup chargers, and small devices neatly organized. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing small

• small arm
• small beer
• small change
• small talk