few 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fewnext
as in limited

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Dissimilar Words

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
He’s paired opposite a breakout star in Angelina LookingGlass, portraying Kateri, who lived with Amziah as his foster daughter for a few years before life pulled them apart. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 The trial was open to the public, and a few journalists and activists attended. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The pair’s conversation, which was moderated by artist Robert Vargas, will be shared on YouTube in a few weeks’ time. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 The neighborhood This is downtown Warsaw, home to the chic boutiques, concept stores and galleries rather than the big designer stores which can be found a few streets further east on Nowy Swiat. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for few
Recent Examples of Synonyms for few
  1. limited
  2. handful
  3. couple
Adjective
  • Another season of limited minutes and the potential for a big sale could plummet.
    — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The unions offered limited press coverage at the start of the event before the doors close.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of limited
Noun
  • Once construction is over, only a handful of permanent jobs are created.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Keep going down to the little beach, where two paddleboards and a handful of beach loungers (the good kind, made of fabric and with a footrest) sit at the gentle lapping edge of the sound.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of handful
Noun
  • The couple was released after more than a month in immigration detention.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The new couple—who were first linked after reportedly meeting at Tribeca Film Festival—have been spotted sporadically over the last few months.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 9 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on few

Nglish: Translation of few for Spanish Speakers

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