Definitions

shoestring

[shoo-string] / ˈʃuˌstrɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

inconsequent

Synonyms

WEAK

casual inconsequential inconsiderable insignificant light minor minute negligible paltry petty small trifling trivial unimportant

ADJECTIVE

inconsequential

Synonyms

STRONGEST

insignificant negligible trivial unimportant worthless

WEAK

big zero casual dinky entry-level exiguous immaterial inadequate inappreciable inconsequent inconsiderable insufficient light little measly minor no biggie paltry petty picayune puny runt scanty shrimp skimpy small small potatoes small-time trifling two bit unconsidered wimpy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

consequential important significant useful valuable worthwhile

ADJECTIVE

inconsequential/inconsiderable

Synonyms

WEAK

casual dinky entry-level exiguous immaterial inadequate inappreciable inconsequent insignificant insufficient light little measly minor negligible paltry petty picayune puny runt scanty skimpy small small potatoes small-time trifling trivial two-bit unconsidered unimportant wimpy worthless

Antonyms

WEAK

consequential considerable important significant

ADJECTIVE

inconsiderable

Synonyms

WEAK

base casual cheap contemptible frivolous inconsequent inessential inferior irrelevant junior lesser light little lower measly minor narrow-minded negligible nickel-and-dime niggling nugatory of no account paltry peanut penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling scratch secondary shabby shallow slight small small-minded subordinate trifling two-bit unimportant

ADJECTIVE

light

Synonyms

STRONGEST

casual faint gentle mild moderate slight soft sparse thin tiny weak

STRONG

minor minuscule minute restricted scanty trifling wee

WEAK

digestible fractional fragmentary frivolous frugal hardly any hardly enough inadequate inconsequential inconsiderable indistinct insignificant insufficient modest not many not much not rich puny superficial trivial unimportant unsubstantial

Antonyms

STRONGEST

big concentrated great heavy large

STRONG

huge

ADJECTIVE

little

Synonyms

STRONG

light minor minute petty small trifling

WEAK

casual inconsiderable insignificant negligible paltry trivial unimportant

Antonyms

STRONG

big consequential huge important large major significant useful

WEAK

enormous giant great immense magnanimous magnificent massive open open-minded

ADJECTIVE

petty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous lesser minor narrow-minded

STRONG

base inessential inferior junior light little lower peanut scratch secondary shallow slight small subordinate trifling

WEAK

casual cheap contemptible inconsequent inconsiderable irrelevant measly negligible nickel-and-dime niggling paltry penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling shabby small-minded two-bit unimportant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

greater major

STRONG

big enormous first-class first-rate great huge immense important large significant superior

WEAK

consequential necessary prominent useful

ADJECTIVE

unimportant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous immaterial inconsequential insignificant irrelevant meaningless negligible null trivial unnecessary useless worthless

WEAK

beside the point casual frothy inconsiderable indifferent little low-ranking minor minute nonessential nothing nugatory of no account of no consequence paltry petty picayune second-rate slight trifling zero zilch zip

Antonyms

STRONGEST

consequential important meaningful necessary relevant significant substantial useful valuable worthwhile worthy

WEAK

big serious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the grandest stage, they simply couldn’t overcome their richer, name-brand foes, always in need of one or two more good players that they couldn’t afford on their shoestring budget.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

"It was all done on a shoestring budget," he said.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

Don’t be shy about shape or size — shoestring, steak-cut, crinkle, waffle, sweet potato — I’ll even give a pass to tater tots for the sake of this exercise.

From Salon • Sep. 16, 2025

“Any abortion recovery room I’ve ever been in has the good tea,” Krajewski told me, adding that it’s usually staff who pay for these refreshments since clinics often operate on shoestring budgets.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2025

Mama screamed, and I guess I was scared, because I just felt frozen—like I was watchin ’ myself on TV—as the movin’ steps gradually gobbled my shoestring and pulled my foot toward its teeth.

From "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper

shoestring

Example Sentences

Related Words