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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
For two years, a pair of miniature dachshunds had shared a flat with their owners, exploring life mostly indoors and on leashed walks. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 Vernon Layton, the movie’s DP, doesn’t recall anything about a miniature John Carpenter holding a bullhorn. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 15 May 2025
Noun
Each case also includes a 50ml miniature bottle, a pocket-sized tasting book, and an engraved stopper cork. Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Rosemary examined her face in miniature in the pools of Timothy’s eyes. Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • The group inflicted widespread abuse and brutality on the tiny population that remained, sparking an outpouring of relief when the army retook it.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
  • Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and more, this tiny SSD is available in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities and offers data transfer speeds up to a maximum of 20Gbps, although that depends on the speed of the host device and some MacBooks and iPhones may top out at 10Gbps speeds.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, other species of chain fern employed a specialized strategy called dimorphism, producing two different leaf types for photosynthesis and reproduction.
    Jay Kakade May 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2025
  • Whether in major label studios or home recording setups, there’s always a demand for accurate reproduction of the sound captured.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Furthermore, some folks have preferred to stay in triple tax-free municipal bonds with minuscule yields, instead of shifting part of their portfolio into higher returning areas of the market.
    Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • That minuscule percentage made all the difference between the Bulls welcoming a generational talent and scouring the back end of the lottery for good value.
    Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • In a 2021 presentation for the American Musical Instrument Society, Knight introduces replicas of Gray’s devices and gives a demonstration.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025
  • Tom Young, a member of the Lansing Historical Society, led the team of Paul Lamborn, John Craig, and Randy Elliott, who quickly built the replica over a couple of days.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Becca’s disintegration emphasizes the parts of her that endure; the avatar, on the other hand, is a parody of that real flesh, an uncanny and malevolent imitation.
    Alexandra Kleeman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The domesticity that Bix and Cass get to experience here is a cruelly poor imitation.
    Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Long Range All-Wheel Drive model starts at $48,990 or $39,390 after the EV tax incentive.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Don't just grab the first random model that pops up on Amazon, though, as some just aren't that great.
    Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 10 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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