as in nothing
something of little importance
the money we spend on cable is small beer compared to the mortgage payment we have to come up with every month
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small beer
To merely denounce the war, or to call for the end of American military support for Israel, would have been small beer.
—
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
This was, to Biden’s critics on the left, small beer.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2025
That covers even things like withholding taxes and the administration of those, which sometimes might seem like relatively small beer, but often for some of our members, significant amounts of money.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
This is small beer for a government committing genocide (according to the U.S. State Department and other bodies).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for small beer
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
This was, to Biden’s critics on the left, small beer.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2025
That covers even things like withholding taxes and the administration of those, which sometimes might seem like relatively small beer, but often for some of our members, significant amounts of money.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
This is small beer for a government committing genocide (according to the U.S. State Department and other bodies).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for small beer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small beer
Noun
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When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Why did her mom press so hard for the littlest of nothings?—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But with an opportunity to add a player such as Giannis, such triviality can be left for another day (or by the Heat shaving another salary at the deadline).—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Jan. 2026
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Society has rationalized the human into triviality, and we’re stuck in a bad game.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Apparently even a small change in fabric can lead to big jumping gains, which is why suits are closely monitored by regulating agencies.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Figure skating provides another striking example where small changes in body positioning can dramatically affect the athlete’s performance.—
Amy Pope,
The Conversation,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small beer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20beer. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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