as in slightest
being the least in amount, number, or size possible
severely reprimanded employees even for the smallest mistakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 smallest
While that’s painful for house hunters, note that the surge was the 18th-smallest among states and trailed the 93% jump nationally.
—
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smallest
Adjective
-
That same year, France also proposed an EU-wide minimum airfare price to curb ultra-cheap flights.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The May 22 event at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Joliet was advertised on the post’s Facebook page with a digital flyer that asked for a $100 minimum contribution and offered VIP status, including a chance to win a set of golf clubs, for a $500 contribution.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The National Federation of Independent Business has warned that small businesses and consumers who rely on energy, rather than oil giants, will end up holding the bag.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
But as funding from cap-and-invest and the climate bond dwindle, the state must increasingly turn to Cal Fire, which devotes only a small portion of its budget to mitigation work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smallest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smallest. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
