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

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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 The afternoons were reserved for small group deep dives to share challenges with peers in a safe space. Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Factors to Consider When Creating a Sweeping Schedule Large households and households with small children will require more frequent sweeping. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025 One small donation had made a difference, and Chouinard understood for the first time that his money could have an impact. David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025 North Korea uses solid fuel in a range of small, shorter-range ballistic missiles, as well as in its new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • Seattle did very little to silence those critics in Week 1.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • He was joined by little bro Jason, who's younger than him by 13 months.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mired in a terrible second-half slump, the center fielder went 2-for-3 with two sacrifice flies after not starting Tuesday and Wednesday and an off day Thursday.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Jayhawks will attempt to learn from their mistakes during an upcoming off week.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The higher the position, the greater the visibility, and the more costly even minor lapses become.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Blue jumpsuits indicate an immigration infraction or a minor criminal charge; red ones denote a more serious crime.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the next 1,358 days, there would be just a handful of credible sightings of Phillips, mostly connected with petty crimes in nearby small towns.
    Todd Symons, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Nothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Primordial black holes, meanwhile, are theorized to be much more diminutive than even stellar mass black holes, with masses predicted to be anywhere from that of giant planets down to average-sized asteroids.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Rather, when Labor Day Weekend ended, the man leading the league in that category was Corbin Carroll, the diminutive (by baseball standards) right fielder playing for the underwhelming Arizona Diamondbacks.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s made from soft, stretchy mesh fabric and has a slim fit that accentuates all the right places.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Currently available for 27 percent off, the slim bag boasts more than enough space for spare clothes, toiletries, and in-flight essentials thanks to its roomy 31-liter volume.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Boise State basketball’s conference schedule was announced on Tuesday morning, and there’s a slight difference to this year’s Mountain West slate.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While strong finances and health helped bolster the country's overall 70% score, that was offset by factors including income inequality, a slight increase in unemployment and a decline in happiness.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, fashion is very parochial and very predictable.
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This week, in parochial and Christian schools across Chicago and the suburbs, schoolchildren filed into pews with their classmates to observe church services ahead of the school day.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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