less than

phrase

: by no means : not at all
less than honest in his replies

Examples of less than in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Connie Britton paid tribute to Dolly Parton, less than two weeks after the loss of her Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 Thus, nearly every part of your face is nourished for less than $4 apiece. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 Gyirong county, where the border port is located, has a permanent population of less than 20,000. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Going from street clothes to an NFL practice jersey, and then to a preseason game in less than seven days. — Ren Clayton, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for less than

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of less than was in 1929

Rhymes for less than

See All Rhymes for less than

Browse Nearby Words

lessor
less than
less-than-carload
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Less than.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/less%20than. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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