DIMINUTIVE Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'diminutive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of diminutive are little , miniature , minute , small , and tiny . While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness. // diminutive bonsai plants

Q: When can 'little' be used instead of 'diminutive'?

The meanings of little and diminutive largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity. // your pathetic little smile

Q: When would 'miniature' be a good substitute for 'diminutive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive , miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale. // a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Q: When might 'minute' be a better fit than 'diminutive'?

In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness. // a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

Q: How are the words 'small' and 'little' related as synonyms of 'diminutive'?

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

Q: How do 'tiny' and 'minute' relate to one another, in the sense of 'diminutive'?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute . // tiny cracks formed in the painting

diminutive 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of diminutive

as in small

of a size that is less than average a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diminutive

2 of 2

noun

də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv

as in dwarf

something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word diminutive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of diminutive are little, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of diminutive?

The meanings of little and diminutive largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When would miniature be a good substitute for diminutive?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive, miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When might minute be a better fit than diminutive?

In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related as synonyms of diminutive?

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

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of diminutive?

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 diminutive

Adjective

Despite its diminutive size, inside you’ll find Extra Strength Tylenol, Neosporin cream, wipes, gauze, and an assortment of Band-aid bandages. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026 For the second World Cup in a row, the final is settled deep into extra time with the only goal from a diminutive midfielder. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Noun

While the Olympics doesn't specify which city Tina lives in, her name is a diminutive for Cortina, one of the cities co-hosting the Winter Olympics. — Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026 By contrast, Naroditsky, who went by Danya, the Russian diminutive of his first name, was known for his gentleness, his sensitivity. — Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diminutive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminutive

Adjective

These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

Noun

When a larger galaxy pulls apart a smaller dwarf galaxy, the dwarf’s stars can stretch into a stream — a cosmic breadcrumb trail of that encounter.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
To avoid this, sow dwarf crepe myrtles at least 4 to 6 feet apart, space standard-sized trees at least 8 feet from each other, and keep crepe myrtles of any size at least 3 feet away from fencing.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dwarf

Adjective

The opening of an Auberge Collection property in the little town of Los Olivos is further proof of the area's status as a preeminent New World wine destination.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
So far, none of those efforts has been successful, and opponents say hunting would do little to address the most problematic bears that tend to live closer to residential neighborhoods.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of little

Noun

Mattel is revamping its video game business with the launch of Mattel Game Studios, a division of the toy brand that will develop, publish and operate original interactive experiences inspired by Mattel IP.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Authorities in Washington, DC, shut down traffic in a residential neighborhood after an adult toy was discovered outside a fire station.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of toy

Adjective

Trade along the route remains tiny compared with major throughways like the Suez Canal and is dominated by Russian oil and gas, which – along with a few other LNG buyers in Asia – principally flow to China.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The amount of neutrino energy absorbed by the companion star, however, would be only a tiny fraction of the amount of energy the star emits on its own, so again, this is likely to have little effect.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tiny

Noun

For the first time in its history, the US military sent explosive-laden drone boats into combat by attacking an Iranian midget submarine and naval port.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
Dreyer went on to build many Indy 500 cars in the 1930s and built championship-winning sprint cars, midgets and quarter-midgets.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Definition of midget

Browse Nearby Words

diminutions

diminutive

diminutiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Diminutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminutive. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of diminutive

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on diminutive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes