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
3
4

Try This Instead

For
Try This
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 Indeed, during this period, the very notion of Palestinian Arab nationalism was nascent and, as the historian Yehoshua Porath has pointed out, largely confined to a small minority of literate Arab Christians. Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 Thought of as the smaller cousin, pygmy hippos are about half the size of common hippos, weighing less than one-fourth of a full-sized common hippo, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 June 2025 The small harbor tugboat tows vessels to and from the Marine Group’s boat lift piers and docks. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 That most recently included TikTok star Griffin Johnson, who was given a small ownership stake in Derby and Preakness horse Sandman. Spencer Ripchik, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • An award-winning toy creator and a doctor have teamed up to launch a new company that manufactures products designed to make health care less scary for little kids, and less stressful for parents.
    Joan Verdon, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • If pop culture is to be believed, nothing good has ever come from a couple dashing off to a cute little cabin in the woods.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.
    Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
  • After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • One allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail, and three deputies were struck, causing minor injuries, the department said.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • Per the Sheriff’s Office, the unidentified suspect broke in and assaulted a resident living in the home, who escaped after suffering a minor injury.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Which party is willing to set aside petty differences and ego, and work in the interests of American prosperity?
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
  • This Christlike journey of scapegoating and torment ends in comeuppance for the haters and doubters, whose petty provocations tend to evoke a Bond villain in adolescence.
    Joshua Hunt, Vulture, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • But what’s the ideal role for the speedy and diminutive Achane, an accomplished cutback runner and a can’t-be-ignored threat as a slot receiver?
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2025
  • Their double act had begun at secondary school, in North London, where Mulcahy protected the diminutive Duffy from bullies.
    Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Senate holds a slim majority, and at least four Senators, including Paul, have publicly expressed concerns over parts of the bill (the others are Ron Johnson, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski).
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • But once the Pratt Street location was chosen, Levy saw chances as slim.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • By virtue of no state income tax, Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Dallas and Nashville do enjoy a slight competitive advantage, but the first 14 Cup champions of the cap era didn’t share that same edge.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Injuries can range from a slight stretching of the ligament to a complete tear, where the knee becomes unstable.
    Paul McClure May 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The third barrier to advancement Hamilton mentioned is risk aversion, and the fourth is parochial services.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Prevost spent nearly two decades in missionary service in Peru, beginning in 1985 with roles such as parochial vicar and chancellor in Chulucanas, and later director of formation for Augustinian aspirants in Trujillo.
    Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on small

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!