Take the 2-minute tour ×

What is the opposite of numerous? I expected the answer to be innumerous, but that seems to mean too many to count. There must be a negative to numerous that isn't simply few.

share|improve this question

closed as general reference by Will Hunting, TimLymington, FumbleFingers, Brendon, KitFox Jan 19 '12 at 13:12


Is there something wrong with not many? If so, please clarify; if not, this is general reference. –  TimLymington Jan 19 '12 at 11:46
not many doesn't have the same force as numerous in the opposite direction. There may not be a strong enough antonym, though. –  Kris Jan 19 '12 at 11:57
thesaurus.com/browse/few –  RegDwigнt Jan 19 '12 at 11:57

3 Answers 3

up vote 2 down vote accepted

In many contexts, one antonym is scarce or scant (2b : lacking in amplitude or quantity)

share|improve this answer

In the singular, you could use 'modicum' or 'trifle'/'trifling amount'.

share|improve this answer

In grammatical terminology, the word paucal is commonly used, but it's not common in other situations.

share|improve this answer
