little 1 of 3

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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
Full Story Tax Watch Why Trump’s tariffs may do little to pay for tax cuts The White House is arguing that revenue from President Trump’s tariffs on U.S. importers is going to help pay for domestic tax cuts. Aris Folley, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 For fighters on the front lines, even high-ranking officers, peace talks mean little. Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Other measures for quits, hires and layoffs and separations were little changed, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 The company’s revenue and per-share profit may have been little changed from a year earlier. Josh Fellman, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
Attention, littles: Ms. Rachel is on her way to Netflix! Devonne Goode, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025 Choose from nine colors and patterns, such as versatile solid grey to a fun rainbow tie-dye hue that’s great for the littles at home. Brittany Vanderbill, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • But the short answer either way was: Good God, yes!
    Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The roster of those who have fallen short magnifies the challenge.
    Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The space consists of two levels—one for dancing and one for dining at small cocktail tables.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The plain and active meaning of the word cannot be diluted by its constriction, as the government would have it, to a narrow term of art.
    TIME Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • During a brief news conference, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said officials could not take questions, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2024 edition of this diminutive all-arounder—capable of gaming, media playback, and light productivity—sees an improvement in processing power over previous iterations thanks to the A17 Pro chip.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The button bush is not a diminutive plant, reaching up to 12 feet tall by 4 feet wide at maturity.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • But even when there’s no drama, divorce is rarely clean.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Unfortunately, the two rarely see each other much these days.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With about 100 vendors, there is a little bit of everything here, from jewelry to pickles and hot sauce to collectible items like coins and comic books.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Channel that instinct and do a little bit of self-interrogation.
    Shannon Carpenter, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In late spring and early summer, tiny pink or purple flowers appear in clusters that may cover the foliage and attract a variety of pollinators.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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