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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

little

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adverb

little

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noun

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
But with Trump still backing Netanyahu, the Israeli leader has little immediate incentive to alter course. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025 Nowadays, with the film business contracting around blockbusters, the little pictures, the B pictures and the silly pictures have deserted the theaters for television which, in its streaming multiplicity, has room to absorb them. Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
And there’s little worse for an automaker than being perceived as unsafe. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025 Arizona's jobs picture changed little in June with the unemployment rate stuck at 4.1% for the fourth consecutive month, though the latest report doesn't reflect a recent spate of layoffs in July. Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
The stock market is kicking off the week little changed despite the latest trade headlines. Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 14 July 2025 And if this were really about advancing a global conservative agenda, propping up a former president whose fate is all but sealed does little to help the cause. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • Touchbacks: Touchbacks for kickoffs have been moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, incentivizing the kicking team to keep the ball in play or have to deal with their opponents being a short trip away from reaching field goal range.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Choose from a slew of sizes and lengths, including short, regular, and tall.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • On a sunny morning in late June, his exercise regimen began with small steps: His right foot keeping pace with the treadmill, his left foot stationary, off to the side.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Going directly from cooking inside the house and only trying my own food to trying small restaurants and traveling within a week’s span was a blessing.
    Kenneth J. Williams Jr, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Career growth inside companies still follows a narrow script—progress often defined by vertical movement alone.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • In 2024, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold in a narrow 6-5 decision.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • July’s consumer price index held steady at 2.7% year over year — slightly below expectations — offering a brief sense of relief.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After a brief evaluation, he was escorted by a trainer off the sideline and into the Dolphins’ locker room.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the diminutive blue Smurfs took over as Smurfs’ Enchanted Voyage in 1984.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Vance played Trump’s diminutive assistant, reminiscent of Rourke’s diminutive assistant, Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize).
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • However, there's a problem: ROAS rarely tells you what's actually working.
    Liam Wade, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Bats are mostly helpful, rarely harmful and play a vital role in the ecosystem.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks and Michael Jackson Looking specifically at solo male musicians, Elvis Presley owns this bit of history, and he may not be matched for a long time.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Adding a little bit of playfulness and spontaneity into every conversation also makes space for laughter and even intimacy.
    Mark Travers, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The tiny matching spoon fits perfectly inside the lid of the jam jar, and the jar even comes with a circular spoon rest. Serve up your favorite jams of the season, or use the jar in a gift basket alongside homemade creations during the holidays.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Hoops can range from tiny huggies to bold statement pieces and come in a variety of shapes—oval, square, triangular, and beyond.
    Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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