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
By 1900, the Irish-speaking areas were a ragged patchwork of smallish standalone zones, clinging to the island’s western and southern shores.
—
Big Think, 4 May 2026
So moving Stankoven to the middle in training camp certainly raised the eyebrows of many, especially considering Carolina has several other smallish players among its forward corps.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 1 May 2026
That’s roughly the mass of a smallish rocky asteroid, perhaps four or five kilometers in diameter.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 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
Big Think, 4 May 2026
So moving Stankoven to the middle in training camp certainly raised the eyebrows of many, especially considering Carolina has several other smallish players among its forward corps.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 1 May 2026
That’s roughly the mass of a smallish rocky asteroid, perhaps four or five kilometers in diameter.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smallish
Adjective
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The National Federation of Independent Business has warned that small businesses and consumers who rely on energy, rather than oil giants, will end up holding the bag.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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But as funding from cap-and-invest and the climate bond dwindle, the state must increasingly turn to Cal Fire, which devotes only a small portion of its budget to mitigation work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Winifried — whose preferred diminutive, also the name of the demon inside her, is Fred, not Winnie — isn’t the one being spooked here.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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That is what these playoffs have provided for Hutson, allowing more eyeballs to take in the well-roundedness of his game despite his diminutive size and his flashy offensive skills that can often divert the attention of those eyeballs elsewhere.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
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Below, shop the best little black dresses inspired by Michele’s posh, minimalist look for under $60 at Amazon, including knee-length, midi, and maxi options.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
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More than 100 little, laughing faces were yelling thank you.—
Brian Lamar,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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Keep scrolling for tiny travel essentials that'll fit right in your personal item.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
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These migratory aerial acrobats need a lot of energy to beat their tiny wings so fast.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smallish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smallish. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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