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

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a small amount
a tiny amount
an insignificant amount
a minimal amount
a trivial amount
a modest amount
a small town
a quaint town
a rural town
a little town
a tiny town
a rustic town
small changes
minor changes
subtle changes
slight changes
incremental changes
trivial changes
small pieces
minuscule pieces
manageable pieces
little pieces
fine pieces

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

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 small When the team stumbles across a small Titanosaurus herd, the film privileges Henry’s reaction as the paleontologist witnesses an elegant mating ritual for the first time. Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 June 2025 Add baking soda: Keep a small open container of baking soda in your fridge to help absorb odors and create less favorable conditions for mold. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025 Only a small portion of the materials include these references. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025 Deerhoof is a small mom and pop operation, and know when enough is enough. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • Map out revenue producing divisions by their profit and loss numbers, evaluate direct margins for the division, identify the weakest division that perpetually makes little or no direct margin and sacrifice them.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • This time, however, the mound visit had little effect.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
  • His hope is two off days — Wednesday’s game and the team’s off-day on Thursday — will put him in position to return to the lineup on Friday in Cincinnati.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Green Day’s summer European run has not been without a few minor hiccups.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
  • Consumer prices were absolutely stable on average from 1800 to 1913, dispensing with minor yearly variation, and there was no income tax.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • While Lian was staring in the mirror practicing her hows and lows and preparing for her future, Wenyu was sneaking out of prep class more and more frequently to pull petty pranks with her new boyfriend.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • Seventy-five years later, some of the Tribune’s criticisms seem petty.
    Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Pauline’s diminutive redesign has raised plenty of questions, although Nintendo rarely seems interested in providing any answers from DK lore.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
  • Shoutout to the diminutive Mooney, who gets full marks for his effort level and compete at his size.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Reversibility Not Likely The chances of reversing AGI or ASI seem to be slim.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Vionic Women’s Willa Slip-on Flats One of the least orthotic-looking of the bunch, the Willa flat has a similar look to Vionic’s signature loafer style except for its slim and delicate silhouette.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • And when detecting the artist approaching flow, the device would emit a subtle cue — a slight change in the sound of their instrument or the lighting — to give the brain a subconscious boost and thereby accelerate and enhance one’s immersion into flow.
    Brandon Sneed, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
  • Similarly, Morning Consult's June 27 to 29 poll found 47 percent of respondents approved of Trump's job performance, with 50 percent disapproving—a slight improvement from May's 45 percent approval and 53 percent disapproval.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.
    Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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