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 India also unleashed several punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending its participation in a water-sharing treaty that is critical for its smaller neighbor. Anupreeta Das, New York Times, 1 May 2025 In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025 The sheriff’s office handles homicide investigations for several smaller municipalities within the county. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025 Sierra says that when her parents separated, her dad moved into that small two-bedroom house. Natalie Morales, Richard Fetzer, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • His use of a century’s old wartime law to deport undocumented migrants with little or no due process to a notorious prison in El Salvador under scrutiny after the administration deported at least one migrant there by mistake.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 May 2025
  • At the time, Colter believed that Russell (Jensen Ackles) was responsible for killing Dad, and Mom did little to dissuade him.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Signs that frozen chicken has gone bad include freezer burn, an off smell or texture, and discoloration.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • Winston will be an example of an off the field leader Dart can learn from, which is likely the reason for Winston earning a two-year contract compared to Wilson’s one-year deal.
    Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Three have been discharged, including two who sustained minor injuries while responding to the scene.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
  • The toddlers had suffered puncture wounds and lacerations to their arms and legs, while an 18-year-old woman also had a minor injury to her arm, the release stated.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Baffert had long operated under a cloud of suspicion inside and outside of racing, thanks in part to his larger-than-life public persona and his utter domination of the competition on the racetrack – not to mention a series of other petty drug infractions in big races leading up to the 2021 Derby.
    Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
  • Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • In March 2020, paleontologists reported an extraordinary finding: a diminutive skull, just over a centimeter long, preserved in amber.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Thomas is a kinetic, diminutive woman whose energy belies her years.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The industry also took some assurance from the fact that film and series, much like big tech, represent one of the United States’ strongest trade surpluses, because of how much more Hollywood blockbusters bring in from abroad compared to foreign content’s slim earnings within the United States.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • But Trump withdrew Stefanik’s nomination in late March, citing the very slim majority that Republicans hold in the House of Representatives.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Several rivers that have been flooded in Northern Texas could see a slight bump in water levels over the weekend, according to the National Water Prediction Service.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Despite a slight deceleration in the first quarter of 2025, the growth remained positive, with volume and revenue increasing by 1.1% and 1.52% respectively.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Driven together by anti-Western grievance and their own parochial interests, China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are creating substantial authoritarian scale.
    Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The plum political prize, of course, will be deciding how congressional districts are drawn, perhaps giving this parochial court a major say in which party—and its preferred Speaker—gets to run the U.S. House.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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