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
One of the best-skating prospects in the world, the 5-10, 178-pound Potter is a smallish but talented player who uses his electric speed to put defenders on their heels, create opportunistic chances, get out in transition and jump onto loose pucks.
—
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
In general, vegetables should be sliced or cut into smallish pieces and precooked.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
However, a lot of big houses have been built on smallish lots.
—Richard Dahlberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Texas has tightened up its defense at the rim against a smallish NC State squad that likes to drive to the cup.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The upstairs room, a supper club, is smallish and cheaply finished; the food is an afterthought, the party never-starting.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Most open up to a smallish balcony, just big enough for a book and coffee.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The size of the audience in the smallish auditorium surprised me on a Friday morning.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 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
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
In general, vegetables should be sliced or cut into smallish pieces and precooked.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
However, a lot of big houses have been built on smallish lots.
—Richard Dahlberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Texas has tightened up its defense at the rim against a smallish NC State squad that likes to drive to the cup.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The upstairs room, a supper club, is smallish and cheaply finished; the food is an afterthought, the party never-starting.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Most open up to a smallish balcony, just big enough for a book and coffee.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The size of the audience in the smallish auditorium surprised me on a Friday morning.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smallish
Adjective
-
It was found [that] the actual tumor was pretty small.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Then, the family says two others broke through a small window, manhandled their dogs and stole priceless mementos handed down through their family over generations, along with the cash.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And as far as attention to detail, each follow in the footsteps of Amalgam’s miniature Formula 1 replicas and its previous partnerships with Maranello, which include a diminutive 12Cilindri.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The device is powered by a rather diminutive 4,050-mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 33-W charging.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little or no impact, with the two sides blaming each other for violations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether still or striding, tiny or outsized, Giacometti’s elongated, upright figures persist as some of the most recognizable works of the post-World War Two era.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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More than a toy, this plush companion acts as a surrogate mom after the tiny primate was rejected by his own mother, Kamaria, a first-time parent unable to form a maternal bond.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smallish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smallish. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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