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 InsteadFor
Try This
a small amount
small changes
small pieces
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
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.
—
Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Those are the numbers for a 2.5-MW commercial-scale version, anyway; thus far, the idea has only been tested at smaller scale.
—Loz Blain
june 30, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for small
Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Those are the numbers for a 2.5-MW commercial-scale version, anyway; thus far, the idea has only been tested at smaller scale.
—Loz Blain
june 30, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
-
Map out revenue producing divisions by their profit and loss numbers, evaluate direct margins for the division, identify the weakest division that perpetually makes little or no direct margin and sacrifice them.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
But most of the middle part is missing, and there’s little to explain how the event unfolded from one stage to the next.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
No team could use an off day than the New York Mets.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Besides the home advantage, Pia Sundhage’s side had a minor edge on goal difference, which meant a draw would be enough for them.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Right now, a handful of attorneys are exploiting our legal system, filing thousands of cookie-cutter lawsuits against businesses for minor technical violations.—
Aaron Hichman,
Mercury News,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Moon is opposite Mercury in your sign, and this can trigger petty squabbles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
-
We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.—
Rob Day,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The diminutive Argentine ghosted between defenders, leapt high behind 6ft 2in center back Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a perfect header, looping it past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into the far corner of the net.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
There was the diminutive Puck, whose tiny body could hurdle through foes like a bowling ball, and Sasquatch, the scientist Walter Langkowski who transformed into a Hulk-like mythical Great Beast of the North with but a thought.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The former is focusing on the general consumer audience as Samsung’s marketing leans into the benefits of AI, while Honor positions the latter as a more fashionable and cutting-edge design due to its slim nature.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This pair with a 2-inch heel also has a square toe, slim strap, and shiny black appearance.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
And when detecting the artist approaching flow, the device would emit a subtle cue — a slight change in the sound of their instrument or the lighting — to give the brain a subconscious boost and thereby accelerate and enhance one’s immersion into flow.—
Brandon Sneed,
Rolling Stone,
6 July 2025
-
Obviously, the lack of IBIS won't matter in the slightest for astrophotography.—
Kimberley Lane,
Space.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share