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 The drops even out the skin tone with a light wash of color; for more coverage, use a brush with a small, pointed tip to apply foundation directly to blemishes. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2025 Snowpack has thinned, rivers like the Colorado are stretched and some communities are eyeing every possible way to enhance water supplies, no matter how small. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025 Their overall role is still small but significantly elevated when viewed as part of the non-carbon share. Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 His music is treasured by a small but intensely dedicated fanbase that includes more than a few rock legends who came up alongside and after him. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • While taking home little to no paycheck within the first few years can be common among small business owners, said Kevin Ketels, the tricky balancing act child care owners play to maintain profitability is not.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The star of the dish, the lobster, was very simple, with very little mayo and other fuss mixed in to distract from the quality of the fish.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Interim manager Ray Montgomery agreed that plan made sense, despite the recent number of off days.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The game was suspended due to rain in the first inning and then completed the following afternoon, which was supposed to be an off day.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While two people are said to have been seriously injured, the others are being treated for minor injuries, according to Xinhua.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In April, the government quietly revoked the visas of thousands of students who had allegedly committed minor legal infractions before abruptly reversing the policy.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And the conflict between the law-abiding brother and his petty thief sibling isn’t over a herd of cattle or gold mine but over a screenplay an agent promises will bring them fame and fortune.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Weeks before the closing announcement, blame fell on the store’s lack of shopping carts, the closure of self-checkout lanes and a visible rise in shoplifting and petty crime.
    Gloria Ngwa, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The best part of that bit is a diminutive JD Vance as Tattoo.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Visible only under a microscope, the diminutive innards are called organoids.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Trump could test the strength of the Republican Party’s slim House and Senate majorities by trying to repeal or suspend the Home Rule Act.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Most functions are accessed via a slim center console with hexagonal haptic touchpads.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Rivera pushed through her routine, adapting to slight errors and fighting for the landing on the dismount.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • These intimate scenes in the upstairs bedroom are the most effective of the entire production, even though the slight attempts at audience interaction don’t make much sense in this context.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • South suburban committee members, meanwhile, showed parochial loyalty to Kelly.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
  • In a chamber fraught with parochial interests and personalities in spades, the sprint to finish this by the July 4 holiday is going to be clipped.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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