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minute

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adjective

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minute

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective minute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of minute are circumstantial, detailed, and particular. While all these words mean "dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point," minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

In what contexts can circumstantial take the place of minute?

The synonyms circumstantial and minute are sometimes interchangeable, but circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

When might detailed be a better fit than minute?

Although the words detailed and minute have much in common, detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

When is particular a more appropriate choice than minute?

The words particular and minute can be used in similar contexts, but particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

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 minute
Noun
Scott left that game in visible pain but returned less than three minutes later with his hand wrapped. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025 As the severe storm system moved in, sirens blared for about 20 minutes but were met with complacency and confusion. Alex Gurley, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Despite the passage of time, the first coordinator of the state’s investigation into the Rhoden deaths can recall minute details of the crimes without notes. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 12 Dec. 2024 Under the Star Quality program, bartenders are trained to be attentive to even minute details of the serving process—for example, holding the glass at its base so that the glass and beer are kept cold—and the competition is a nod to that art. Don Tse, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for minute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minute
Noun
  • Finished a close second on debut with the winner of that race returning to win an Allowance race and then a distant 4th in the Risen Star Stakes.
    Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Each chef has just 30 seconds to select a single ingredient.
    Buddha Lo, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Other strikers were floated by members of the recruitment team but, after poring over footage and receiving detailed feedback, Howe became transfixed.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In that vein, conversations on trans identity are likely to be many viewers’ reference point for the movie’s subject matter, but Hughes-Hallet’s approach is remarkably detailed and informative, going beyond that lens.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One 2019 study from researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University and West Virginia University found little evidence that CDFI funding significantly boosts small business activity.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • And despite the dynamic, positive feedback of the recovery, there is little evidence of fresh dollar inflows at this point.
    Guy Petcho, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump says Musk heads despite another nominal administrator, led to firing tens of thousands of workers and targeted more.
    Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The exposures listed on the initial holdings list do add up to more than 100%, with nominal bonds as the biggest category.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Kennedy’s subversion of vaccines, subtle at times, glaring at others, goes far beyond the measles outbreak.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Struggling to read greens by consistently missing left or right is aided by digital green readers that retrain your brain to read the subtle undulations of the green.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Regular computers, including the one on your desk, think in tiny bits of information that are either a 1 or a 0—like flipping a light switch on or off.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Apply a tiny bit of water to the wonton edges with your finger.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If a sales professional is conducting a recorded call, AI can also transcribe and summarize the call on their behalf.
    Nikolaus Kimla, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Some can differentiate between multiple speakers, translate more than two languages at a time, and even transcribe your conversations to send to others.
    Séamus Bellamy, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The receivers were ready, warmed up and ready for their big moment.
    Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The final moments of the episode also reveal that the parasitic alien Sequids are still roaming the sewers, the bloodthirsty Battle Beast is alive in space and Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown) survived the Invincible War.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Minute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minute. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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