miniature 1 of 2

miniature

2 of 2

noun

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
Their gusts act like miniature cold fronts, bulldozing ahead of the rain and lifting desert soil into the sky. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Each coin is effectively a miniature billboard of power – emperors, gods, temples, and battle scenes, all in the highest artistic form of the ancient world. Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
Many varieties come in the 18-24 inch range, while miniatures with 'Mouse' in the name are absolutely charming in the front of the border. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025 Take a look at some of our favorite miniatures from the 2025 Kentucky State Fair by clicking this link. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • And in the case of this particular tiny home, the Timberline model by Amazon brand Allwood, that picture-perfect retreat is just a click away.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • So pack that sunscreen, toss a floppy hat into your weekend bag, and get ready to sip fruity drinks with tiny umbrellas.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Herbicides also harm honeybees, butterflies, and other pollinators through direct contact and/or through long-term impacts on reproduction and development.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Once fully grown, the medusae spawn a colony and repeat the asexual reproduction process.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and minuscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
  • And if the Panthers struggle, the difference in picks could be minuscule.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Creator @tinalemac shared her step-by-step process for transforming a plain IKEA mirror into a high-end replica using nothing more than tin foil and air-dry clay.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Acutis' tomb in Assisi—his body displayed in a wax replica and dressed in casual clothes and sneakers—has become a major pilgrimage site, and relics associated with him have toured internationally.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sleep-mimicking anesthetics, like Dex, don’t produce a perfect imitation.
    RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The Residences’ partners insisted wood be wood, leather be leather, and plastic should never be a faux substitute because the ultra rich instantly spot imitations.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Dreamliner is 25% more fuel-efficient than older models due to lighter construction and advanced engines.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Hence, clubs are turning to the player-trading model long pioneered, and more recently supercharged, by Chelsea.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on miniature

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!