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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in minor
lacking importance
reluctant to bring such a small matter to the boss's attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 observation was reported to the Minor Planet Center, the official authority for observing and reporting new asteroids, comets and other small bodies in the solar system.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The Mexican pop star, born in Huamantla, a small town in the state of Tlaxcala, recently presented this material there, proudly showcasing his roots.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
But every victory, however small, adds up.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Such tweets turned Skonberg, 23, from an unknown CandyJar actor into a social media presence with his own small but budding fan base.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The Mexican pop star, born in Huamantla, a small town in the state of Tlaxcala, recently presented this material there, proudly showcasing his roots.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
But every victory, however small, adds up.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Such tweets turned Skonberg, 23, from an unknown CandyJar actor into a social media presence with his own small but budding fan base.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
-
Wet and dry fronts, prevailing winds, moisture and vapour, meeting, as luck would have it, exactly at the top of that big mountain on the little island.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But the shutdown has turned most parks into ghost towns, with little to no staffing or access to amenities and facilities.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
And then the third Wednesday is an off week.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This was a minor bit of incomprehension on my part.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
He is being charged in juvenile court with evidence tampering and unlawful gun possession by a minor.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Any petty rivalries were put aside, and in the true sense of the actor’s code, offers came to help each other read over the piece.—
Jay Glennie,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Filmmaking is blind instinct, petty calculations, smooth generalship, daydreaming, pig-headedness, grace, bluff, risk.—
Susan Sontag,
Vogue,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tyrannosaurus rex did, in fact, have a diminutive relative in North America.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
-
That means the diminutive van measures in at a hair under 340 cm (134 in) long, roughly 59 cm (23 in) shorter than the original 2023 Toyota Kayoibako.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Though pain is worsening every day for Americans, the prospects of any major deal getting cut while the leader of the Republican party is across the world are slim.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That Blake Lively starrer launched to a $24 million opening day and a $50 million debut — against a slim $25 million production budget.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As her new album opens, Brandi Carlile is having a slight argument with herself.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The whisky is lovely despite its age (remember, sometimes older whiskies are not actually that good), with notes of caramel, licorice, mango, apple, berry, cinnamon, and a slight wisp of smoke on the palate.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The move likely seeks to rein in parochial infighting between military branches, which compete for congressional funding every year despite Hegseth and the White House officially controlling the process.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The disagreement is colored by Maine’s parochial politics.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share