diminutive 1 of 2

diminutive

2 of 2

noun

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
The film bears little to no resemblance to Hart's actual life, besides the fact that Mickey Rooney, who stars as Hart, is closer in height to Hart's diminutive 5-foot stature (Rooney beat Hart by two inches). Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025 The diminutive scholar and social media star offers a theory for the film’s remarkable resonance with audiences. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
For example, Katie is a diminutive of Katherine and Lisa is a diminutive of Elizabeth. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025 Meaning: Miley is often considered a diminutive of the name Miles, but can also refer to singer Miley Cyrus. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diminutive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminutive
Adjective
  • Palantir’s revenue figures are still quite small compared to peers of similar market capitalization.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Contractors working on the project recently completed pouring the foundation for what will provide smaller housing units meant to make quarantining detainees with communicable illnesses safer and easier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • After a chance encounter on the road, the cheerful dwarf Zoltan Chivay (Danny Woodburn) combines his crew with Geralt’s.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Additionally, there is Zoltan (Danny Woodburn), the fan-favorite dwarf with some rather thrilling skills, and several others to round out the already expansive cast.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Wet and dry fronts, prevailing winds, moisture and vapour, meeting, as luck would have it, exactly at the top of that big mountain on the little island.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But the shutdown has turned most parks into ghost towns, with little to no staffing or access to amenities and facilities.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Typically, major children’s films come with a wave of pre-arranged licensing deals involving toy makers, food brands, fast-food chains, clothing companies, and costume manufacturers.
    Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
  • These animals fill our books and screens and toy chests from infancy, and for that feel existentially familiar.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • From breezing through paperwork to avoiding unnecessary airport delays, this tiny travel hero proves that sometimes the simplest tools are the most important.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • But the movie only gives tiny little tastes of 1982 rock culture, and why Nebraska was so comically unsuitable for airplay.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diminutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminutive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on diminutive

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