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

Examples of little in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The keyboard’s trademark shallow key travel remains the same, which is a demerit for heavy-handed typists like myself but should delight light-touch Mac users who prefer little to no resistance when typing. —

PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 The groups started with gases of dysprosium and erbium atoms, which are intrinsically magnetic enough to act like little bar magnets. —

Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

Adverb

And while there have been improvements, the overall survival has changed very little in the last 50 years. —

quantamagazine.org, 15 Oct. 2024 Businesses with fewer than 50 workers were little changed, contributing just 4,000 of the total. —

Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

After a decade of conflict and effort with precious little to show for it, however, the recent era of interventionist U.S. state building is drawing to a close. —

Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2013 The former preschool teacher is now a YouTube star, thanks to her popular teaching videos for littles. —

Emily Hochberg, Parents, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for little

Recent Examples of Synonyms for little

Adjective

The tasteful memorial features a short labyrinth walkway that ends at the sculpture of a miner holding a pick-axe and a harp, one of Ireland’s national symbols.

James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
His short fiction has appeared in a variety of national literary magazines and anthologies.

Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024