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
Both efforts were chalked off for offside but the events were a microcosm of Barcelona’s season under Flick with a brave high line.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
This week began with a steep loss for U.S. stocks on fears about the trade war, and it’s been a microcosm of the market’s severe swings in recent weeks as investors struggle with how to react to conditions that sometimes change by the hour.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
That loop is a microcosm of leadership itself: aligning today’s actions with tomorrow’s aspirations.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
But the thorny decisions that Ms. Hoffman faces are a microcosm of the whiplash that retailers across the United States are confronting.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microcosm
Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
This week began with a steep loss for U.S. stocks on fears about the trade war, and it’s been a microcosm of the market’s severe swings in recent weeks as investors struggle with how to react to conditions that sometimes change by the hour.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
That loop is a microcosm of leadership itself: aligning today’s actions with tomorrow’s aspirations.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
But the thorny decisions that Ms. Hoffman faces are a microcosm of the whiplash that retailers across the United States are confronting.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microcosm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for microcosm
Noun
-
German diplomatic representatives wanted to send the boxes back to the German embassy in Tokyo.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
The law passed both chambers of Congress nearly unanimously, with only two House representatives dissenting, in a rare moment of bipartisan consensus.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The sample menu starts at 250 pounds a person with a taste of an oyster vichyssoise that uses imperial gold caviar, buttermilk and dill; scallops from the Isle of Skye with pumpkin, nori, and pine créme, and a Cornish turbot made with morteau sausage, thyme, black garlic and yellow wine.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
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Soil samples suggest the stones were placed there around 400 years ago, which aligns with the timing of Rutherford’s letter.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Noun
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At night, for example, when the house is silent and your work is done.—
Ann Goldstein,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
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For example, Hass avocados, which are the most common type available in the U.S., are medium sized.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Microcosm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/microcosm. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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