SMALL-TIME Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

small-time

adjective

Definition of small-time

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 Popham, a drifter, small-time criminal, and frequent drug user, lived with the Bunyard family intermittently. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 There may not be quite as many small-time sailors in the harbor this time, owing to the rigidity that has become inevitable since the 9/11 attacks, but plenty of weekend captains will make their way here. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 30 June 2026 Zhang, delivering his first fully Cantonese-language performance on the big screen, portrays a repressed small-time man caught between competing versions of reality. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 June 2026 With all that activity, small-time Helsinki took off, becoming a boomtown in support of the grand strategic fort. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for small-time

Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-time

Adjective

The show finds ways to expose the worst in its characters, their pettiest, most vengeful, greediest parts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Beyond petty crime, the department warned that Belgium remains at risk for terrorist attacks and related activity.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

Second, the hacker had ignored valuable data on Hugging Face’s servers in search of worthless answers to a test.

— Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
On top of that, his degree from a for-profit college - which was later sued over alleged deception - seemed worthless.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 30 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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Style

“Small-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-time. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of small-time

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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