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Dictionary.com
Definitions

small-scale

[smawl-skeyl] / ˈsmɔlˈskeɪl /
ADJECTIVE
miniature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mini pint-sized reduced scaled-down small tiny
STRONG
Lilliputian baby diminutive little minuscule minute mite model petite pocket toy wee
WEAK
itsy-bitsy itty-bitty minikin teensy teeny
Antonyms
STRONG
big giant huge important large tall
ADJECTIVE
miniscule/minuscule
Synonyms
WEAK
Lilliputian diminutive dwarf infinitesimal itsy-bitsy little meager microscopic mini miniature minute pint-sized puny short slight stunted teensy teeny trivial undersized wee
ADJECTIVE
small
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cramped limited meager microscopic miniature minuscule modest narrow paltry poor short slight young
STRONG
baby bantam diminutive little mini minute petite petty scanty shrimp toy trifling wee
WEAK
bitty humble immature inadequate inconsequential inconsiderable insufficient picayune piddling pint-sized pitiful pocket-sized puny runty scrubby stunted teensy teeny trivial undersized unpretentious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adequate big fat great huge important large liberal rich significant substantial sufficient tall thick unlimited unrestricted wealthy wide
STRONG
consequential giant useful
WEAK
benevolent broad-minded considerate distinguished enormous excellent famous fine generous giving immense kind untrivial

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.

While rare earths will be the primary focus, exploration will also assess the potential for gold mining — the area is dotted with old, small-scale adits and shafts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

After Zion was raided and its physical church was shut in 2018, it increasingly took its ministry online while establishing small-scale branches around the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Interestingly, beyond a couple of small-scale events, there hasn’t been much talk of sending him out on the road again.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026

Alongside fiscal reforms, Ghana has tightened gold trading rules, particularly in the small-scale sector, to curb smuggling and improve transparency.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Prediction in history, as in other historical sciences, is most feasible on large spatial scales and over long times, when the unique features of millions of small-scale brief events become averaged out.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond