mi·cro·scop·ic | \ ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 
\
\variants:
or less commonly microscopical \ ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-kəl \
\Definition of microscopic
1 : resembling a microscope especially in perception
2a : invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope
b : very small or fine or precise
3 : of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
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Other Words from microscopic
microscopically \ ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbSynonyms & Antonyms for microscopic
Synonyms
- atomic,
- bitsy,
- bitty,
- infinitesimal,
- itty-bitty
- (or itsy-bitsy),
- little bitty,
- microminiature,
- miniature,
- minuscule,
- minute,
- teensy,
- teensy-weensy,
- teeny,
- teeny-weeny,
- tiny,
- wee,
- weeny
- (also weensy)
Antonyms
- astronomical
- (also astronomic),
- colossal,
- cosmic
- (also cosmical),
- elephantine,
- enormous,
- giant,
- gigantic,
- herculean,
- heroic
- (also heroical),
- huge,
- immense,
- mammoth,
- massive,
- monster,
- monstrous,
- monumental,
- mountainous,
- planetary,
- prodigious,
- titanic,
- tremendous
Examples of microscopic in a Sentence
At this point, the embryo is a microscopic clump of only 100 cells.
There is a microscopic crack in the diamond.
He has a microscopic attention span.
He recorded every aspect of his trip in microscopic detail.
a microscopic study of plant tissues
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Recent Examples on the Web Large wildfires churn out plumes of smoke thick with microscopic pollution particles that can drift hundreds or even thousands of miles.
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Matthew Brown, Anchorage Daily News, "Study: Wildfires produced up to half of health-damaging air pollution in Western states," 12 Jan. 2021 The transnational team delved deep into the microscopic world of cell memory, tracking B cells, which make antibodies that neutralize pathogens, and T cells, which attack and kill infected cells.
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Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Does COVID-19 result in lasting immunity? Growing evidence says yes," 18 Nov. 2020 Castranova was bringing a microscopic world into focus, with the hope of revealing unprecedented detail.
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Oliver Whang, National Geographic, "See the stunning world invisible to the naked eye," 13 Oct. 2020 Viruses are contagious; this particular virus transmits through tiny microscopic droplets in the air.
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Molly Jong-fast, Vogue, "As We Enter 2021, Let's Give Thanks to the Unsung Essential Workers of 2020," 2 Jan. 2021 No one knew that last pillar would come to dominate our lives with a microscopic germ that would upend our economy and kill thousands.
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Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, "Coronavirus, Obamacare, public health policies: Where the candidates for governor differ," 16 July 2020 To provide reliable detection, a PCR test must be sensitive enough to identify microscopic levels of a pathogen - and able to distinguish them from genetic neighbors.
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David Willman, Anchorage Daily News, "The CDC’s failed race to roll out a virus test," 26 Dec. 2020 In less than a year, one microscopic virus has brought upheavals large and small in the way people and goods move around.
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Prajwal Kotamraju, Fortune, "A solution for cash-strapped cities is right at the curb," 18 Dec. 2020 Given the still microscopic proportion of EVs on the road, charging should be made as easy and painless as possible.
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Eric Adams, Wired, "The Mustang Mach-E Delivers a Jolt—If You Can Find a Charge," 15 Dec. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'microscopic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for microscopic
microscopic
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of microscopic
: able to be seen only through a microscope : extremely small
: much smaller than what is usual, normal, or expected
: done with a microscope
See the full definition for microscopic in the English Language Learners Dictionary
microscopic
adjectivemi·cro·scop·ic | \ ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik \
\Kids Definition of microscopic
1 : of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope
a microscopic examination
2 : so small as to be visible only through a microscope : very tiny
a microscopic crack
microscopic
adjectivemi·cro·scop·ic | \ ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik \
\variants:
or microscopical \ -i-kəl \
\Medical Definition of microscopic
1 : of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
2 : so small or fine as to be invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope — compare macroscopic, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1
Other Words from microscopic
microscopically \ -i-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbKeep scrolling for more
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Time Traveler for microscopic
The first known use of microscopic was circa 1672
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