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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.

Over the past five years, Tartt, Bandy and a shoestring staff have trained some 60 people on farming the mountain valleys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

That’s where you get the skinny jeans and the shoestring for a belt, the grunge-style backpack, wearing beanies.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

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

From BBC • Sep. 23, 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

They were better than the brace-lace-lets—the shoestring jewelry—but not by much.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds