Words for Small

Brief: short in time

It will only be a brief visit because we really do not have much time.

Dwarfish: abnormally small

He was a short, burly man, almost dwarfish but he greeted them cheerfully and set a dish of
chickpeas at their table.

Marginal: small
The report suggests that there has only been a marginal improvement in women's pay over the past
few years.

Minimal: very small in amount

There were no injuries and damage to the building was minimal.

Meagre: amounts or numbers very small or not enough

The prisoners existed on a meagre diet.

Minute: extremely small

The documentary showed an eye operation in minute detail (= showing every small detail).

Paltry: very small

The company offered him a paltry sum, which he refused.

Petty: small or of little importance

I do not have time for petty matters like that.

Scanty: smaller in size or amount than what is considered necessary or desirable

Scanty food supplies

Shrivelled: much smaller than is needed

The company has attempted to boost its shrivelled share price.

Shrunken: smaller than before, and less important

The company faces shrunken profits for the third year in succession.

Stunted: prevented from growing or developing to the usual size

Children with stunted growth

Squat: Short and wide, usually in a way that is not attractive

A row of ugly, squat houses

Trifling: a trifling matter or amount of money is small or not important

It was such a trifling sum of money to argue about!

Trivial: having little value or importance

The story spends too much time on trivial matters.
 Words for Surprised

Astonished: very surprised

The doctors were astonished at the speed of her recovery.

Astounded: very surprised

I was astounded to hear that Tina just arrived.

Dazed: very confused and unable to think clearly

You are looking rather dazed – is something wrong?

Dumbfounded: so shocked that you cannot speak

Ray is dumbfounded at the questions.

Flabbergasted: feeling shocked

When they announced her name, the winner just sat there, flabbergasted.

Staggered: very shocked

I was staggered at the prices.

Stunned: very shocked

They stood in stunned silence beside the bodies.