Mean
Mean adjective - Giving or sharing as little as possible.
Usage example: a mean child who hoarded all her toys
Small
Small adjective - Of a size that is less than average.
Mean is a synonym for small in behaviour topic. Sometimes you can use "Mean" instead an adjective "Small", if it concerns topics such as character trait, unimportant, narrow-minded, petty.
Nearby Word: smallish
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- Big Eater: Like modern small mammals, the high metabolism and small body size of the Aegialodon mean that he has to eat almost constantly during his waking hours.
Source: Literature / Raptor Red -
Usually they mean two different types of Ranger against a small force but in the finale they mean two rangers against a million.
- Rolf's solo adventure spinoff states he dislikes working with others and would rather have a small team if he HAS to bring one along, since small teams mean less chances for others to mess up.
Source: Arbitrary Headcount Limit
Cite this Source
Small and Mean. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/small
Mean & Small. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/small>.
Small or Mean. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/small.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mean" and "small" have occurred on timeline