insignificant

adjective

in·​sig·​nif·​i·​cant ˌin(t)-sig-ˈni-fi-kənt How to pronounce insignificant (audio)
Synonyms of insignificant
: not significant: such as
a
: lacking meaning or import
b
: small in size, quantity, or number
c
: not worth considering : unimportant
d
: lacking weight, position, or influence : contemptible
insignificantly adverb

Synonyms of insignificant

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of insignificant in a Sentence

They lost an insignificant amount of money. Looking up at the stars always makes me feel so small and insignificant. These problems are not insignificant.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Although the correlation between daily prices has been insignificant, cotton prices and Brent crude prices have followed a similar general pattern since the outbreak of hostilities around Iran. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Study after study, by public officials and think tanks, has shown that voting by noncitizens and other ineligible voters happens only at minuscule, statistically insignificant levels. — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026 Holly’s parents rejected the idea that the stakes become insignificant because the athletes are in high school. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 While seemingly insignificant, these small changes make for a Rice Krispies treat that’s perfectly pullable, delightfully sweet yet salty, and just a touch more exciting than the classic. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insignificant

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insignificant was in 1651

Rhymes for insignificant

See All Rhymes for insignificant

Browse Nearby Words

insignificancy
insignificant
insignificative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insignificant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insignificant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

insignificant

adjective
in·​sig·​nif·​i·​cant ˌin(t)-sig-ˈnif-i-kənt How to pronounce insignificant (audio)
: not significant : unimportant
insignificantly adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All