as in representative
something (such as a place or an event) that is seen as a small version of something much larger
The village is a microcosm of the whole country. The game was a microcosm of the entire season.
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Recent Examples of microcosm
The spat between Trump and Carlson over Middle East policy is being seen by many as a microcosm of GOP divisions on how the U.S. should respond to the crisis in the Middle East and Trump’s willingness to criticize even his closets allies who break from him publicly.
—
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Each character is so drawn and voiced so specifically this Animal Farm really does become a microcosm of society with Rogen’s duplicitous Napoleon the classic case of someone consumed with power and his own narcissism (remind you of anyone?).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2025
The last decade of Lizzo’s career has been a microcosm of the modern American fame arc.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
This trial is a microcosm of a dangerous backlash that seeks to diminish the voices of survivors and preserve a culture in which men feel entitled to exploit women, while those who endure violence are shamed and intimidated into silence.
—Liz Roberts, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for microcosm
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Each character is so drawn and voiced so specifically this Animal Farm really does become a microcosm of society with Rogen’s duplicitous Napoleon the classic case of someone consumed with power and his own narcissism (remind you of anyone?).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2025
The last decade of Lizzo’s career has been a microcosm of the modern American fame arc.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
This trial is a microcosm of a dangerous backlash that seeks to diminish the voices of survivors and preserve a culture in which men feel entitled to exploit women, while those who endure violence are shamed and intimidated into silence.
—Liz Roberts, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for microcosm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for microcosm
Noun
-
That leaves a more pernicious proposal pushed by the nonprofit Institute for the Public Good, which has a representative on the mayor’s working group.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
-
The representative for House District 30 previously refused a settlement offer in the case that included a $4,000 fine and public reprimand.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
31 July 2025
Noun
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General admission tickets are $25 for entry to the event at 1 p.m. Tickets include admission, three taco tickets plus five margarita samples.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Water samples will be tested in Northwest Arkansas, rather than Little Rock, to speed up the process.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
For example, fructose (fruit sugar) is converted to glucose in the liver, and so is galactose (a component of milk sugar).—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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For example, the Bay View Neighborhood Association supports residents through advocacy and community improvements.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Microcosm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/microcosm. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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