little 1 of 3

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2
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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

2 of 3

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
The specialized wedding dress retailer crafts unique dresses for the plush accessory, giving the Pop Mart little monster toy the bridal treatment in an unconventional way. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2025 From returning carts to sharing smiles in the checkout line, shoppers often engage in little acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Adverb
Some of the designers Krings champions are little known. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025 The offshore yuan was little changed on the news and China’s equity futures were yet to open. Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Noun
The pair traded holds throughout the second in a high-quality showing, both giving little away. Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Then send the littles home and catch the sequel to the ’90s slasher classics with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., who reunite alongside a new generation, including Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline. July 25 49. Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • These 'wins' may be short term and tactical but will continue to give him polling boosts as polls follow the news cycles.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Kitchen by Cooking with Que is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays as a small café. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: [email protected].
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • Bringing bold wallpaper into a small space can be a fun way to add a bit of a ‘wow’ factor, and that is precisely what Laws did in this 40-square-foot half-bath.
    Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
  • That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • The scene grew chaotic after immigration agents tried to arrest Baraka for trespassing, and McIver's elbows appeared to make brief contact with an immigration officer.
    Sarah N. Lynch, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Topline Actor Ike Barinholtz is in talks to portray the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, in an upcoming comedy-drama movie that will reportedly center on the brief ousting of billionaire Sam Altman from the helm of OpenAI in 2023.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Hawkins is the revelation here, a diminutive, hippy-dippy monster.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
  • Over the past century, however, pollution, invasive species and excessive water pumping have destabilized the ecosystem, pushing the diminutive delta smelt toward extinction.
    Moira Donovan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Adverb
  • That first impulse to vent or demand immediate action is rarely your friend.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Roller coasters and senior citizens are rarely a good match.
    Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • While a headboard may seem like a small design detail in your overall bedroom layout, a little bit of creativity can make a big impact.
    Rebecca Shinners, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2025
  • The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says while the couple was waist deep in the water with their dog, an alligator bit the hand and wrist of the woman and dragged her under the water.
    Gershon Harrell, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Her tiny strides nestled among the cypress trees near the Guadalupe River.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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