LITTLE Synonyms: 616 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'little' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of little are diminutive , miniature , minute , small , and tiny . While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity. // your pathetic little smile

Q: When is 'diminutive' a more appropriate choice than 'little'?

Although the words diminutive and little have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness. // diminutive bonsai plants

Q: In what contexts can 'miniature' take the place of 'little'?

The synonyms miniature and little are sometimes interchangeable, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale. // a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Q: When would 'minute' be a good substitute for 'little'?

The words minute and little can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness. // a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

Q: How are the words 'small' and 'little' related?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number. // a relatively small backyard

Q: How do 'tiny' and 'minute' relate to one another, in the sense of 'little'?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute . // tiny cracks formed in the painting

little 1 of 3

adjective

ˈli-tᵊl

Definition of little next

as in short

having relatively little height there was a little hedge separating the two lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

lacking importance there were just a few little details left to take care of

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as in narrow

not broad or open in views or opinions little-minded people who dislike the fact that human society is always progressing

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as in brief

not lasting for a considerable time let's take a little pause to relax

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as in diminutive

of a size that is less than average the petting zoo has a little horse in addition to all of the goats and sheep

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little

2 of 3

adverb

as in slightly

in a very small quantity or degree we had little more than we needed to survive in the wilderness

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as in rarely

not often he's been studying very little for the bar exam

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little

3 of 3

noun

as in bit

a very small amount there's just a little of the pie left

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word little distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of little are diminutive, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When is diminutive a more appropriate choice than little?

Although the words diminutive and little have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

In what contexts can miniature take the place of little?

The synonyms miniature and little are sometimes interchangeable, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When would minute be a good substitute for little?

The words minute and little can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of little?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

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 little

Adjective

The summer of 2020 did little to allay those fears: Inexperienced intelligence officers from the agency were deployed to Portland, Ore., to compile dossiers on people protesting against police violence. —

Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 The ensuing reply-all showed little sympathy for the ninety-five-year-old school and its community. —

Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025

Adverb

Tagovailoa did very little during the open media portion of practice and the team is preparing for Tyler Huntley to start at quarterback Sunday unless Tagovailoa’s hip improves significantly and quickly. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2025 From Cape Town, the viewing is little better because the austral summer means that the sun rises earlier, at 5:36 a.m., so the conjunction happens after sunrise. —

Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

Noun

Showing exasperation with the players involved does little to inspire confidence in them, and communicates to supporters that a manager is thinking about their own brand as much as the side’s performance. —

Michael Cox, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 Kelce says the look of awe on a child’s face is really for the parents since the littles don’t really understand what is going on around them quite yet. —

Melissa Willets, Parents, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for little

Recent Examples of Synonyms for little

Adjective

Congress must fund the government by March 14, the next government shutdown deadline – leaving only six short weeks of session for lawmakers to iron out the details.

— Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Maria Bakalova also made the front row, in a short white suit with sheer overlays.

— Rhonda Richford, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025