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Definition of miniaturenext
as in reproduction
an exact representation of something in greatly reduced size a diorama filled with miniatures of town buildings as they looked in the 19th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word miniature distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of miniature are diminutive, little, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When might diminutive be a better fit than miniature?

Although the words diminutive and miniature have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of miniature?

The synonyms little and miniature are sometimes interchangeable, but little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

In what contexts can minute take the place of miniature?

The words minute and miniature can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How do small and little relate to one another, in the sense of miniature?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of miniature?

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 miniature
Adjective
The home solar panel and battery company wants to turn your house into a miniature data center by connecting artificial intelligence computing nodes to its network of solar panels and battery units. Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Founded in 2013, Miniso carries items like plush dolls, miniature lamps and perfume. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Noun
Those miniatures eventually grew into larger chamber works and orchestral compositions. Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 The third image zooms out showing this bathroom is a miniature and man has planted his foot into the tableau. Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • Legionnaires’ disease is spread by inhaling tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
  • Once your cake is baked and cooled, use the back of a piping tip to cut out tiny circles.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • In South Florida, the semi-aquatic species has a high reproduction rate and is a generalist feeder, gobbling everything from crabs to snakes to small mammals, according to FWC.
    Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
  • Today, styles ranging from historic reproductions to merely Ghurka-inspired can be sourced from brands including Bryceland’s, Polo Ralph Lauren, Todd Snyder and more.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.
    Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Scientists at Aalto University in Finland have built the world’s first cyclic heat engine, operating inside a superconducting circuit and using a minuscule amount of heat from a quantum refrigerator to convert it into useful work.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Not far away lay a replica Viking longship, a smaller version of the vessel used by their spiritual and ancestral kin to explore and raid from North America to North Africa a millennium earlier.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • He was later fished out — and a replica was installed on White House grounds.
    Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • Touching infested water, even just a splash, can risk infection, as microscopic larvae swimming along the surface are able to wriggle through skin.
    William McCarthy, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • The culprit, Cyclospora cayetanensis, is a microscopic parasite that’s found in human feces.
    Caroline Kee, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • And the guy who loved John Wayne movies and came to do a fine imitation reckoned his should be in that spirit.
    Vahe Gregorian July 5, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • In fact, the pursuit of a truly American design style—one that turns away from imitation and toward exploration—has been a focus for architects since this country was founded.
    Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • During his tenure, Rousteing spearheaded the creation of the ‘Balmain Army’, a diverse and influential community of models, influencers, and celebrities that included figures such as the Kardashians.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 14 July 2026
  • The Hightower family is closely connected with the worship of the Seven, the predominant faith of Westeros, and Ormund seems to be a model believer.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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