smallest

adjective

as in slightest
being the least in amount, number, or size possible severely reprimanded employees even for the smallest mistakes

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smallest
  1. minimum
  2. small
Adjective
  • Simmons can’t be expected to give the Kings much in the way of shooting and floor spacing, but his size, length, defense and playmaking ability make his minimum-contract signing a low-risk, high-reward proposition for Sacramento.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The models are deliberately tuned to favor the shortest, computationally cheapest response that satisfies the bare minimum requirements of a query.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of minimum
Adjective
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But after home brewers were able to show the appeal of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts and citrusy wheat ales, that eventually led to a boom in small breweries.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of small

Browse Nearby Words

smaller
smallest
small-fry
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Cite this Entry

“Smallest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smallest. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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