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miniature

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noun

as in reproduction
an exact representation of something in greatly reduced size a diorama filled with miniatures of town buildings as they looked in the 19th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word miniature distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of miniature are diminutive, little, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When might diminutive be a better fit than miniature?

Although the words diminutive and miniature have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of miniature?

The synonyms little and miniature are sometimes interchangeable, but little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

In what contexts can minute take the place of miniature?

The words minute and miniature can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How do small and little relate to one another, in the sense of miniature?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of miniature?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of miniature
Adjective
Sinuous vines, mosses and fungi — some looking like luminescent teacups, others like miniature red lava lamps — grew anywhere there was space. Mihir Zaveri, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 Directly below the mouse is a wireless touchpad, just like a miniature version of the one on your laptop. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
From the audience under the rotunda, Republicans gleamed their approval and Democrats sulked in opposition — a piece of theater that, in miniature, encapsulated the broader partisan divisions and cultural differences that practically define American politics in the modern era. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 These days, Anderson works with Simon Weisse, who is among the world’s leading experts in miniatures. Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for miniature 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • Average footballer gets incredibly rich from moving around: pass me the tiny violin.
    Jack Lang, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
  • The gals at Always Booked put together the most fantastic event down to the tiniest detail.
    American Booksellers Association, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The body requires manganese for immune function, blood sugar regulation, digestion, reproduction, bone health, blood clotting, antioxidant defense, and many more bodily processes.12 Manganese is found in many plant and animal foods, such as nuts, seeds, seafood, fruit, and beans.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Feb. 2025
  • This discovery is one of many cases where fungi alter host behavior to facilitate their own reproduction.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Federal spending was relatively minuscule in those years.
    Chris Isidore, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The number of transgender athletes competing in school and college sports is thought to be minuscule.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Iran’s military displayed replicas of some of its missiles at the square.
    Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Inside, life-size videos of Saints owner Gayle Benson and Gov. Jeff Landry greet visitors, as does a 15-foot replica of a NASA rocket, evoking the Michoud facility just down I-10.
    Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Eddie Murphy, who once rescued Saturday Night Live during a rough patch in the 1980s, rescued a sketch in the show’s 50th anniversary special with a note-perfect imitation of Tracy Morgan.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025
  • From frame one, Bob Dylan, the creation, the idea, the trickster, the lone wolf, without attitude or affectation, your Dylan was no imitation.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • His work is grounded in a three-layer model developed during his time at C4ADS: data management, analysis, and requirements.
    Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Compared to the typical development path of a Canadian goalie, who plays major junior hockey in the CHL, Oettinger can see how the American model might allow for more growth.
    Jesse Granger, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near miniature

Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on miniature

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