"A small number" can be substituted with numerous synonyms, depending on the context in which it is used. Some alternatives include "few," "handful," "scant," "limited," "sparse," "minority," "meager," "modest," "inadequate," "insufficient," and "scarce." These expressions evoke a sense of scarcity, insufficiency, or paucity. "A handful," for instance, implies a quantity that can be literally held in one's hand, while "meager" suggests a small or insufficient quantity that falls short of expectations. Similarly, "sparse" connotes a state of rarity or sparsity, whereas "inadequate" signals a shortfall or deficiency of something. Overall, these synonyms can help to add nuance and expressiveness to one's writing or speech.