Definition of smallnext
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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 operation started as a small, open-air fruit stand more than 80 years ago. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 By the following year, thirty-seven per cent of school districts reported not having a librarian at all; previous research has shown that the proportion is even higher in the smallest districts, which tend to be rural. Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 The team also found that the pion appears smaller than the proton at moderate momentum values. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026 Watch session recordings, track drop-off points and run small tests before shipping major redesigns. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • Sandia Mountain, the aerial tramway to the peak, the fancy resort and casino, but don’t sleep on little Pueblo of Isleta south of town.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • For all of its massive successes, and for all of the fame, money, and love generated by this Broadway juggernaut, 125 years later the biggest lasting impact of Florodora is this spicy and fruity little cocktail, created for one particular girl in a particularly imperious mood.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • While the Knicks beat the Spurs 105-95 during Game 1, Game 2 was a close call, with the Knicks winning by a slim one-point margin.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • For example, by Sunday night, the measure had caught up and was practically in a tie, with the no votes ahead by a slim 11,500 votes.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • The dog and another dog of theirs that came outside when the woman first opened the door are expected to recover from minor injuries suffered.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • OpenAI was reportedly served with a subpoena seeking information about its approach to advertising, consumer and health data, minor and senior users and models, among other activities.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Lestat justifies his, uh, connection with Gabriella by arguing that vampires transcend petty human concepts like conventional morality.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026
  • The Avs did right by MacFarland in granting him permission to interview, unlike the petty and classless Golden Knights, who continue to hold former coach Bruce Cassidy hostage.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • The couple’s diminutive chihuahua, Willow, has also become something of a local celebrity.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
  • While an archery set is a more conventional instrument of death, it’s wielded with eerie poise by one diminutive villain played by Yayan Ruhian.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • As long as the overall drink remains sufficiently boozy, cocktails that contain citrus—such as margaritas, daiquiris, and cosmopolitans—can also work well or just require a few slight tweaks.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • The camera caught Maher staring at the stage with a slight smile, seemingly unsure how to react.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Natalie Neysa Alund The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow 100-mile-long waterway in the Middle East and has been a point of key contention during the course of the war.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2026
  • According to the home’s actual dimensions, the doorway (which didn’t exist when the family moved in) should dead-end to an external wall; instead, when Navidson opens the door, there’s a narrow hallway nearly ten feet long inside.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • The whole episode is a reminder to product designers everywhere that users can be extremely sensitive to the seemingly smallest changes — and Spotify clearly had not anticipated that a teeny-tiny disco ball drop would prove to be unpopular.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Today, Siazon’s pickles can be found at the Sacramento Natural Food Co-op, the Davis Foods Co-op, Corti Brothers, the Kitchen Table locations, Allspicery in East Sacramento and tiny but mighty Superette Market in Land Park.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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