SMALL Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

small

adjective

ˈsmȯl

Definition of small

as in little

of a size that is less than average a small cat who never weighed more than five pounds

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slim

small in degree your chances of winning the lottery are so small that it's best not to count on it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minor

lacking importance reluctant to bring such a small matter to the boss's attention

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in narrow

not broad or open in views or opinions townspeople who were helpful to one another but who also could be small and intolerant

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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 At the Hästens Sleep Spa in Coimbra, Portugal, for example, guests select their preferred pillow firmness at check-in—a small detail designed to make the bed feel more personalized. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026 That's a smaller annual increase than the previous month, and probably not enough to keep pace with inflation. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Just like Amanda’s countryside retreat, this two-bedroom cottage in quaint Southrop—a small village in the heart of the Cotswolds—features stone masonry, a tiled roof, and even uses the same sage-green color across its window frames and front door. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 The Abercrombie Kids’ Baby & Toddler Collection adds newborn through 5T sizing after shoppers asked for smaller sizes, extending the brand into another stage of its customers’ lives. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small

Recent Examples of Synonyms for small

Adjective

But little progress has been made towards implementing a deal to end the conflict, which includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
The Salem witch trials of 1692 carved out an enduring and powerful niche in American history for this little town, and this intimate, kitschy museum does an excellent job telling the story.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

Still, Stutzman noted the timing of Democrats’ concern over the surveillance technology, with less than 30 days till the November elections where Republicans’ slim House majority is on the line.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
The pumps feature a slim slingback strap that wraps around the ankle, securing the foot in place.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of slim

Adjective

The bus and a security checkpoint booth were damaged, and one border service employee suffered minor injuries, police said.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
In the 120 years that the State Russian Museum has owned the painting, only minor conservation has been carried out.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

But do such experiences meet the narrow definition of attachment?

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
When the pollsters gave likely voters additional, critical information about both candidates, Bass shot up by 5 points and took a narrow lead over Raman, 40% to 39%, with 21% undecided, according to FM3.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

That said, the actress playing the diminutive vigilante — a remarkable Sneha Kumari — drums up just enough passion and intrigue to counterbalance this relatively rote unfurling.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026
This is a tricky proposition, as these black holes would have a lifetime as diminutive as their size.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminutive

Adjective

Valadao, a Republican from Hanford, has won the seat in six of the last seven elections despite the district’s slight Democratic tilt.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
In their paper from September, Minzer and his colleagues proved a slight variant of Khot’s second conjecture that has nearly the same consequences.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

Stanley’s co-defendant, unsuccessful county commissioner candidate and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver Heather Morrow, was found guilty of the petty offenses and the misdemeanor assault charge.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Letts makes the most of his brief screen time as a manipulator whose petty genius lies in creating an artificial scarcity for his affections.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of petty

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“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of small

adjective

Synonym Chooser

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Phrases Containing small

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to small

smol

8 Words for Small Amounts

The Big and the Small of It

Cite this Entry

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