few 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fewnext
as in limited

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few

2 of 2

noun

as in handful
a small number a few of the songs on the album are good, but most are forgettable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 few
Adjective
Starkey was then just as unexpectedly rehired a few days later, only to be fired again after a month in a messy back-and-forth that resulted in drummer Scott Devours joining the band for what was billed as a farewell North American tour. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026 Within just a few weeks, injected mice with signs of neurodegeneration improved their nesting scores. — Mike McRae 30, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026 The ceremony is in just a few weeks; two days before that, Madix will have returned to Broadway to star as Connie Francis in Just in Time, a musical about the life of singer Bobby Darin. — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 With public transport almost paralyzed, a round trip between the Havana neighborhoods of La Víbora and El Vedado in one of the few taxis still moving in Havana can cost 2000 pesos — $3 — or more. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for few
Recent Examples of Synonyms for few
  1. limited
  2. handful
  3. couple
Adjective
  • Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of limited
Noun
  • Twenty years ago, our entire business was powered by a handful of tower servers in a basement.
    — Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Musk’s companies are hardly the only ones facing key-person risks, of course, but only a handful of other companies come close to the scale of Tesla and SpaceX’s market value.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of handful
Noun
  • How happy couples avoid this fight Healthy couples absolutely still notice when things are lopsided.
    — Mark Travers, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Outdoor bars and tents are being set up for the crowds expected for the bull-riding event that evening, and couples of all ages hold hands and wander the brick streets.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of couple

Phrases Containing few

Browse Nearby Words

fevers
few
few and far between
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Few.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/few. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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