small

adjective

ˈsmȯl How to pronounce small (audio)
Definition of smallnext
1
as in little
of a size that is less than average a small cat who never weighed more than five pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in off
small in degree your chances of winning the lottery are so small that it's best not to count on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in minor
lacking importance reluctant to bring such a small matter to the boss's attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in petty
not broad or open in views or opinions townspeople who were helpful to one another but who also could be small and intolerant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead Try This Instead

For
Try This
a small amount
a tiny amount
an insignificant amount
a minimal amount
a trivial amount
a modest amount
a small town
a quaint town
a rural town
a little town
a tiny town
a rustic town
small changes
minor changes
subtle changes
slight changes
incremental changes
trivial changes
small pieces
minuscule pieces
manageable pieces
little pieces
fine pieces

Synonym Chooser

How is the word small distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of small are diminutive, little, miniature, minute, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

In what contexts can diminutive take the place of small?

In some situations, the words diminutive and small are roughly equivalent. However, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of small?

The meanings of little and small largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When could miniature be used to replace small?

The words miniature and small can be used in similar contexts, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When is it sensible to use minute instead of small?

The words minute and small are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of small?

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 small There are other arguments for smaller capacity venues. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025 In early December, Roberts returned to the place of his birth, traveling to the Japanese city of Naha on the small Pacific island of Okinawa to receive an official recognition from the municipality’s local government. — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025 The foyer is often a small space, so a hall tree can be overbearing. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 Have a small outdoor space but want to grow some plants and vegetables? — Toni Sutton, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
  1. little
  2. off
  3. minor
  4. petty
  5. diminutive
  6. slim
  7. slight
  8. parochial
Adjective
  • And despite the dynamic, positive feedback of the recovery, there is little evidence of fresh dollar inflows at this point.
    — Guy Petcho, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Nintendo officially confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 via a teaser trailer that reveals the hybrid console, a plan for a Nintendo Direct on April 2 to give more details, and very little else.
    — Will Greenwald, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of little
Adjective
  • Alcaraz, who lives his best life at Indian Wells, playing golf on his off days and pummeling his opponent, chalked up the slow start and the loss to having fallen into the trap of thinking too much about his opponent rather than focusing on himself.
    — Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Proper treatment can help the liver heal from minor damage, including fibrosis.
    — Sarah Hudgens, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Even minor decisions had to be run up the church’s chain of command, say former members.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • That sketch, coming just before the episode’s closing performance by Cypress Hill, was the hour’s peak, containing all the promise of petty obsessions afforded airtime in a chorus of besuited actors shouting a monologue as one.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This isn’t to say the vigilante trans group in the new world is free of petty catfights.
    — Grace Byron, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • The stark contrast of the diminutive Japanese guard going up against the host nation’s 7 feet 3 inches tall center Victor Wembanyama was one of the most memorable images of the Games.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Here are two fascinating, and diminutive, examples.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of diminutive
Adjective
  • The number of outlets that invest in both their writers and their audience is slim and thinning.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Yet no one at those places remembers him -- except for a single slim lead.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of slim
Adjective
  • Making one bet at a slight little edge is not going to have a huge effect on someone's bracket.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Zero Day held a slight lead with 1.84 billion minutes of viewing to 1.81 billion for Reacher.
    — Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of slight
Adjective
  • Currently the parochial vicar at St. Lucy Parish in Campbell, Rev. Pedigo formerly served as pastor at St. Julie Billiart and Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose.
    — Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • At this point, any family that wants their child to attend a private school is now able to get more than $8,000 per year to pay private or parochial tuition.
    — Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of parochial

Phrases Containing small

Browse Nearby Words

smacks (of)
small
small arm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on small

Nglish: Translation of small for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All