small but powerful

USAGE SUMMARY

"small but powerful" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any context when referring to something that is small in size, but has great strength, influence, or importance. For example: "Despite its small size, the battery operates with a powerful output."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here is one particularly small but powerful audio power amplifier.

Stanford University

We're doing the "Small, but Powerful" campaign and then the "Evolution of Power" video.

Huffington Post

After the arrival of missionaries, a small but powerful "white" minority began to exert greater and greater power over the Hawaiian monarchy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

FOI is a small but powerful tool that ordinary citizens can use to counter government power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Descended from Basque immigrants, Arzú was a member of Guatemala's small but powerful European elite.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's small but powerful, and Ria Parry's simple direction delivers three punchy performances.

The Guardian

Two small but powerful examples of African sculpture face each other from opposite walls in the living area.

The New York Times

There is also a small but powerful group of army leaders who owe their careers to Mr. Montesinos.

The New York Times

Armed with this small but powerful insight, Wallace was able to pick apart the machinery of Taylor's argument.

The New York Times - Magazine

Meanwhile, in the background, people like Jon Huntsman are hunkering down, guarding a couple of small but powerful ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

The book's publisher, Comma Press, is a small but powerful champion of the short story, both British and European.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small but powerful" when you want to emphasize a contrast between size and capability. This phrase is effective in highlighting that something shouldn't be underestimated based on its appearance.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing, where more precise or nuanced language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "limited but impactful" or "understated but influential" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small but powerful" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize a contrast between size and capability. Ludwig AI shows its effectiveness across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small but powerful" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that possesses surprising strength or influence despite its size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase appearing frequently in news, media, and academic contexts, signaling its broad acceptability. While effective, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal settings where more nuanced alternatives may be more appropriate. Related phrases such as "small but mighty" or "compact but powerful" can provide variety and emphasize different aspects of the contrast between size and capability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small but mighty

Replaces "powerful" with "mighty", emphasizing strength and effectiveness.

compact but powerful

Substitutes "small" with "compact", highlighting the efficient use of space while retaining power.

diminutive but potent

Uses more formal synonyms for "small" and "powerful", making it sound more sophisticated.

tiny but effective

Replaces "powerful" with "effective", focusing on the positive outcome of the phrase.

understated but influential

Shifts the focus from raw power to the impact something has, despite appearing modest.

petite but strong

Emphasizes the contrast between small size and physical strength.

limited but impactful

Highlights that something may have limited resources or scope, but still produces significant results.

modest yet forceful

Emphasizes humility while still conveying power and determination.

little but significant

Focuses on the importance or consequence of something small.

economical but capable

Emphasizes that the item or concept is efficient and has high skill.

FAQs

How can I use "small but powerful" in a sentence?

You can use "small but powerful" to describe something that is diminutive in size but has a significant impact or influence. For instance, "This app is a "small but powerful" tool for managing your finances."

What are some alternatives to "small but powerful"?

Alternatives include "small but mighty", "compact but powerful", or "tiny but effective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "powerful but small" instead of "small but powerful"?

While grammatically correct, "powerful but small" is less common and doesn't carry the same idiomatic weight as "small but powerful". The latter emphasizes the surprising nature of something being both small and strong.

In what contexts is "small but powerful" most appropriate?

"Small but powerful" is suitable for a variety of contexts, from describing technology and tools to characterizing individuals or groups. It's particularly effective when highlighting unexpected strength or influence in something seemingly insignificant.