Synonyms of diminutive

diminutive 1 of 2

adjective

as in small

of a size that is less than average

a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• small
• little
• tiny
• pocket
• miniature
• puny
• fine
• smallish
• dinky
• undersized
• slight
• dwarfish
• slender
• dwarf
• pocket-size
• sparse
• pygmy
• Lilliputian
• subnormal
• half-pint
• poor
• pint-size
• stunted
• shrimpy
• miniaturized
• minuscule
• toylike
• mini
• bantam
• spare
• lacking
• microscopic
• insufficient
• inadequate
• micro
• bitty
• meager
• weeny
• teeny
• infinitesimal
• slim
• scrubby
• inappreciable
• wee
• toy
• scarce
• teensy
• skimpy
• minim
• little bitty
• stingy
• scant
• scanty
• runty
• minute
• pinpoint
• teeny-weeny
• deficient
• teensy-weensy
• minikin
• wanting
• capsule
• runtish
• bite-size
• skimp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• large
• considerable
• substantial
• big
• handsome
• sizable
• great
• massive
• outsize
• bulky
• enormous
• goodly
• grand
• giant
• gigantic
• oversize
• husky
• huge
• voluminous
• vast
• hefty
• whopping
• tremendous
• prodigious
• gargantuan
• tidy
• immense
• colossal
• monstrous
• stupendous
• mountainous
• mammoth
• heroic
• gross
• generous
• monumental
• monolithic
• cavernous
• largish
• abundant
• staggering
• jumbo
• herculean
• appreciable
• titanic
• biggish
• ample
• galactic
• plentiful
• liberal
• copious
• hulking
• healthy
• bountiful
• wide
• humongous
• boxcar
• overscale
• broad
• thick
• king-size
• elephantine
• whacking
• plenteous
• Himalayan
• fat
• Brobdingnagian
• cyclopean
• adequate
• infinite
• sufficient
• leviathan
• cosmic
• Bunyanesque
• immeasurable
• pharaonic
• incalculable
• boundless
• enough

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

• dwarf
• toy
• midget
• miniature
• mini
• scrub
• runt
• peewee
• mite
• pygmy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giant
• monster
• mammoth
• behemoth
• colossus
• jumbo
• whale
• titan
• leviathan
• whopper

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

Recent Examples of diminutive

Adjective

Fields, listed at 5 feet 9 and 193 pounds, could be the next diminutive running back to become a star in Manhattan. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Her diminutive studio in the City & Guilds of London Art School is like an alchemist’s chamber meets forensic laboratory. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 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