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Definitions

drop in the bucket

NOUN

small amount

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bit trivial amount

STRONG

pittance small amount small change small potatoes small quantity

WEAK

Band-Aid cosmetic measure disappointment drop in the ocean lick and a promise miniscule amount not enough speck spit in the sea too little too late trifle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The problem with this way of thinking is that each of us contributes an infinitesimally small drop in the bucket of global greenhouse gases.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

Teaching unions said they would be scrutinising the proposals closely, with one saying the money was "barely a drop in the bucket" of what was needed because of "years of underfunding".

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

With more than nine in 10 people in the region living below the poverty line in 2022, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the effort may be only a drop in the bucket.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Any crypto losses would be a drop in the bucket for Harvard’s massive $57 billion endowment, the biggest of any U.S. school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

Two hundred silvers is a drop in the bucket for him.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

drop in the bucket

Example Sentences

Related Words