small-time

adjective

Definition of small-timenext
as in petty

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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-time What began in 1976 as the underdog story of a small-time Philadelphia boxer has evolved into a cultural institution. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 At 56, White is no longer a small-time boxing coach from South Boston. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2026 In the film, Lola belongs to Oli, a slacker and small-time drug dealer played by Jay Lycurgo, who is inspired to change his ways after adopting her — their relationship described by more than one reviewer as one of the most heartwarming in any film at this year’s festival. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 And that's why the WNBA remains a small-time sports league subject to mockery, despite employing arguably the most popular basketball player in the world. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for small-time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-time
  1. petty
  2. worthless
  3. nickel-and-dime
  4. one-horse
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • What otherwise might have been worthless bits of trash commanded the highest bids due to where the two items were 57 years ago—lifting off aboard NASA’s Apollo 11 spacecraft on humanity’s first mission to land astronauts on the Moon.
    — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
  • When software moves money on its own, a procedures document is worthless.
    — Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of worthless
Adjective
  • So, yes, Mercedes is not afraid to nickel-and-dime anyone with their compact sedan.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026
  • Full-service hotels like Marriott and InterContinental still offer a more inclusive experience, and international airlines like Qatar Airways don't nickel-and-dime you for luggage.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of nickel-and-dime
Adjective
  • And while this has now become a one-horse race, with that proposal carrying the day heading into a May 28 vote at the league’s next Board of Governors meeting, there are still more discussions — and possible changes — to come.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 5 May 2026
  • McCarthy moved to his current studio in 2012, and around then, bought land out in the Tehachapi Mountains to serve as Wild West backdrops, not unlike the early film studios buying up tumbleweed stables in Topanga to serve as facsimiles of one-horse towns to shoot westerns.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of one-horse

Browse Nearby Words

small talk
small-time
small-timer
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Cite this Entry

“Small-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-time. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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