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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
Setting aside the delightful incongruity between the coach who once promised to bite off peoples’ kneecaps and his miniature companions, the fourth-down factor is a big part of what makes the Lions Must-See TV. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Jan. 2025 These supergiant crustaceans produce a small number of eggs — only in the hundreds — which hatch as miniature versions of the adults, Sidabalok said. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
The interiors here are filled with Indian art, including miniatures that reflect the styles of several historic eras. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024 Introduced as a miniatures artist who doesn't seem that distressed by her mother's recent death, Annie Graham does start to come unraveled once the family starts to become wracked by other disasters (such as her son's accidental decapitation of his sister!) and occult phenomena. Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for miniature 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • The pup worked for 13 years helping make others smile — including countless patients at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he was named the tiniest therapy dog out of more than 100 enrolled in the hospital’s Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
  • There was a tiny cell, its walls painted deep red and carved with graffiti, where prisoners who were to be executed were kept.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Lending pandas to zoos across the U.S. and other countries also encourages reproduction and helps save the giant pandas from extinction.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Inside, there’s a photomechanical reproduction on gold of Eisenhower’s husband, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Last season saw the 27-year-old continue his steady production at the plate, lowering his already impressive strikeout rate to a minuscule 10.3 percent.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Such actions would make the 2018 trade war look minuscule.
    Felix Salmon, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Whereas some cloud storage and file-sharing services' desktop apps seamlessly integrate with your computer’s folder system, others offer a one-to-one replica of the service’s web portal.
    Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Dawn McKenna Group, Coldwell Banker Realty When the house was first put on the market, The Wall Street Journal reported the sale would include a Lego replica of the house and a large Kevin Lego figure that the brand gifted to the old owners, which McKenna confirmed the new buyers will get to keep.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Jones saunters to the middle of the cage, shimmying his hips and arms in an imitation of Trump’s signature shuffle-dance.
    Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
  • But Yakin’s script is no imitation; this is a smart, sensitive story of a young drug runner (Sean Nelson) who uses the chess strategies taught to him by his absentee father (Samuel L. Jackson) to double-cross his employer (Giancarlo Esposito).
    Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Maryland mandates that 43% of vehicles sold by Maryland auto dealers be electric in the 2027 model year that starts the summer of 2026.
    David T. Stevenson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
  • While JustAnswer costs money, Pearl has a freemium model.
    Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near miniature

Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on miniature

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