as in small
of a size that is less than average
a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of diminutive
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
The low kitchen counters hint at Wilder's diminutive stature; keepsakes from her life remain in place.
—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Meaning: The name Indie can be a diminutive of the names India (country southern Asia) or Indiana (state in midwestern U.S.).
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diminutive
Adjective
So if you’re put off by the bZ’s size, and are looking for something diminutive—and based on reader feedback, there are many of you out there—this small SUV will probably still fail to pass muster.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
The low kitchen counters hint at Wilder's diminutive stature; keepsakes from her life remain in place.
—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
Noun
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
Meaning: The name Indie can be a diminutive of the names India (country southern Asia) or Indiana (state in midwestern U.S.).
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diminutive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminutive
Adjective
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Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
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People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International.
Noun
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Beyond the fruit, the dwarf golden spice pear features clusters of white spring blooms and glossy leaves that turn a striking burgundy or bronze color in the fall.
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Many get very large, so be sure to buy a dwarf variety for foundation plantings.
Adjective
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Yet at the individual and family level, there was little.
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For example, when the question comes up if a certain weird little alien on a space bus who sounds unmistakably like Seth Rogen is actually Rogen.
Noun
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Their technicians have the training and tools to get the toy out without causing major damage to your pool.
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Guinness was then kept out of his habitat so staff could monitor him and prepare for another attempt to remove the toy.
Adjective
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Merlin, a 2-year-old duck, has taken the internet by storm, captivating fans with his tiny form-fitting Team Mexico jersey and confident waddle around his home of Mexico City.
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Providing indefinite joy for the price of just one night at a hotel, this Instagram-worthy blow-up shelter is practically a portable tiny home that sets up within a few minutes.
Noun
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Dreyer went on to build many Indy 500 cars in the 1930s and built championship-winning sprint cars, midgets and quarter-midgets.
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Larson was untouchable in midget racing before Bell came along, and then Bell started beating Larson and forced the Californian to raise his game.
Cite this Entry
“Diminutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminutive. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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