smallness
1
7.5
- noun
- /ˈsmɔːlnəs/
- His constant criticism of trivial issues revealed a real smallness of spirit that I found disheartening.
Examples
-
The smallness of her gratitude for the efforts made was evident when she dismissed all the help she received.
-
Sometimes there are things I want to write or say from the smallness of my heart, and then I think of you and a couple of other people I know like you, and I stop myself.
Blog text (20) -
I want to hear about our greatness, not our smallness.
Blog text (22) -
But there is a meanness in him, a smallness of soul, or perhaps it is a terror of soul that causes him to make a lifestyle, an art, of scoping out small particles of substance from the souls, the spirits, of others.
Fiction book (1997) -
In discussing the team's failed project, his smallness shone through as he refused to acknowledge anyone's contributions.
Synonyms
9
6.2
Being too worried about small unimportant things and not generous
1
8.7
Being mean about small things
1
9.9
Arguing about small unimportant details to avoid making a decision
Antonyms
How Generous
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Smallness is made of small + -ness, and a helpful way to remember this sense is to think of someone being 'small' in heart — 'narrow' or 'stingy'. So smallness can mean being petty or ungenerous about minor things.