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miniature

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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
Most sustainability functions have been designed like miniature compliance teams. Gus Bartholomew, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025 Additional miniature formats and wider availability across global retail partners started in September. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Finally, there were also handmade miniatures. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025 As Nicholas Royle argues, the scene of Cinna’s death can easily be treated as a version of Julius Caesar in miniature. JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • At the previous World Cup in 2022, hosted by tiny Qatar, all of England’s games were in Doha or just outside that city.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Nanotubes are ultra-small cylindrical structures, so tiny that thousands could fit across the width of a human hair.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Throughout these years, the body begins to prepare for the end of reproduction.
    Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Seed materials, fruits, and branches were carefully collected from the two species to not disturb the small populations’ natural reproduction capabilities.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The amount of space between garden soil particles is so minuscule that container plants struggle to send their roots into it and extract nutrients from it.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Budgets for these projects are minuscule (generally, $100,000 to $300,000 per series), and platforms release a lot of them, experimenting to see what resonates with viewers.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The original bell was replaced on the underwater ship with a replica, engraved with the 29 sailors' names on it.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The private museum also has a replica of Sputnik 1, Project Apollo displays, and an Engine Evolution area that lets visitors get a close-up view of rocket engines and jet turbines.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Near those boundaries, microscopic changes in pace or line flip the result, explaining why near-identical putts can alternate between agony and ecstasy.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Microneedling, also a popular cosmetic procedure, creates microscopic punctures in the skin to produce a similar effect, but does not use radiofrequency.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Sushi knives and utensils were found with organic debris, and imitation crab meat was found unrefrigerated.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Even his imitation of 20th-century leadership lacks a certain verve.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many existing models still rely on empirical methods developed several decades ago.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Political parties in early America subsidized newspapers and became the foundation of the press’s business model.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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