as in small
of a size that is less than average
a smallish row of bushes lining the yard
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Recent Examples of smallish
The slightly shiny, spring-ready sage green feels fresh, and the in-between size is just right for carrying all your smallish essentials.
—
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Surfers have been out in great numbers at this popular surf spot, thanks to smallish surf, somewhat warm water — by winter standards — and sunny skies after days of rain, meaning more beachgoers came across the stingrays and their pointy barbs.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Evans forced the extra four minutes in its game when smallish senior guard Johnny Wright dribbled across the lane and banked in a clutch shot to tie the score 40-40.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Go in a smallish group, belly up to the bar to put your name in, then order a strong drink if there's a wait.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Hagens slipped down the board, but the B’s jumped at the chance to nab the smallish, but highly-skilled centerman.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
And garnering this smallish corner of the market is intrinsic to the brand’s identity.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Their father, George Atkinson, spent his entire career playing an aggressive, menacing style of football that belied his smallish 6-foot, 180-pound frame.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
This season, Yamamoto has demonstrated not only consistency but also durability, no minor feat considering his smallish frame.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Surfers have been out in great numbers at this popular surf spot, thanks to smallish surf, somewhat warm water — by winter standards — and sunny skies after days of rain, meaning more beachgoers came across the stingrays and their pointy barbs.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Evans forced the extra four minutes in its game when smallish senior guard Johnny Wright dribbled across the lane and banked in a clutch shot to tie the score 40-40.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Go in a smallish group, belly up to the bar to put your name in, then order a strong drink if there's a wait.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Hagens slipped down the board, but the B’s jumped at the chance to nab the smallish, but highly-skilled centerman.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
And garnering this smallish corner of the market is intrinsic to the brand’s identity.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Their father, George Atkinson, spent his entire career playing an aggressive, menacing style of football that belied his smallish 6-foot, 180-pound frame.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
This season, Yamamoto has demonstrated not only consistency but also durability, no minor feat considering his smallish frame.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smallish
Adjective
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Dealing with competition from smaller personal computers, IBM’s business model began turning to services and software instead.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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Common tactics Supporters of both parties now regularly receive urgent fundraising emails designed to draw in small-dollar donations, a significant part of how political candidates and parties pay for campaign operations and political advertising blitzes.—
Joseph Morton,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The franchise got a makeover with 1994's The Little Rascals, a modern riff that revived the series' diminutive ensemble with child actors like Bug Hall, Ross Bagley, Brittany Ashton Holmes, and Courtland Mead.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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For years now, the diminutive Slovakian has consistently been one of Europe’s most press-resistant midfield players.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The bill would allow immigrants like him, who have been in the United States for more than 5 years, to apply for legal status, but the bill has made little progress since it was first introduced.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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Some parents might interact too much, or too little, and the play pocket might not encourage independent play as expected.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Family says county 'stole' family home over tiny tax, taking fight to Supreme Court.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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However, heat can cause iodide to be lost from the surface, leaving behind tiny holes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smallish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smallish. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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