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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small beer
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
This includes fresh paint in several places, some new concession stands, a small beer garden, new lights, and perhaps most notably, two new video boards flanking the stage.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
This includes fresh paint in several places, some new concession stands, a small beer garden, new lights, and perhaps most notably, two new video boards flanking the stage.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for small beer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small beer
Noun
-
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
-
Society has rationalized the human into triviality, and we’re stuck in a bad game.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Who was this irritant who had eluded the most sophisticated lawmen in the country, thanks to the triviality of his crimes?—
David Grann,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Additional Shower Head Sometimes, a small change makes a big difference, like installing another shower head.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
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The new award comes with small changes within the Television Academy Board of Governors as well.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small beer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20beer. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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