PETTY Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

petty

adjective

ˈpe-tē

Definition of petty

as in small

not broad or open in views or opinions a petty little town that was not ethnically diverse and very happy about the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention obsessed over even petty problems

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 petty Developed from an original story by Wong, the pilot revolves around a petty criminal who inherits a share in a mysterious and powerful corporation. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 Stanley’s co-defendant, Heather Morrow, is convicted of the same petty offenses and misdemeanor assault on an officer. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 For those who were convicted of a prior felony, any subsequent charge — including traffic offenses or petty crimes — would be enough to require law enforcement to alert ICE about them. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026 Drawing lines between the city and the ‘burbs in such a way is petty and unbecoming of a Chicagoan. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for petty

Adjective

Comparing households aged 72 and older in 2022 with those aged 75 and older in 2025, Maggiulli calculated a smaller—but still substantial—21% increase.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The development could help make optical atomic clocks smaller and more suitable for use outside laboratories.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Municipal compost operations tend only to accept leaves generated by that town and may also provide small quantities of finished compost to residents for free or at a nominal charge, according to DEEP.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Assuming interest rates of 4% to 5%, Swagel estimated that nominal GDP growth would have to reach 7%-8%, and real GDP growth would have to hit 5%-6% in order to stabilize the debt.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of nominal

Adjective

For Bourne, newspapers, besides giving information, encourage an acceptance of non-parochial views.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Our small island has arguably contributed more in terms of popular music than any other nation, but British driving songs are unavoidably parochial.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of parochial

Adjective

The two remained locked in a tight race as early voting nears with Talarico having a slight edge in most polls.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The bodice of the top was a crisp white, while the sleeves were cast in vibrant yellow, a slight nod to the bold color trend for the season.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent polls have shown Jackson holding only a narrow lead over Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

To non-historians, the difference of a few years might seem rather trivial.

— Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
But in Season 4, the balance is off, and the fictional president’s parallels to our real-life war-starting, ally-betraying POTUS only make the former’s plight feel that much more trivial.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of trivial

Adjective

Depending on the machine and settings, that material ends up in a purge tower built alongside the print, or in a collection of little plastic doll's-house-looking spaghetti balls, affectionately known as printer poop.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
That gives One Roof a significant advantage over competing Seattle bidders and little incentive to offer anything close to $10 billion.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026