miniature 1 of 2

Definition of miniaturenext

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

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
Unlike the vast majority of frog species that rely on water for egg development, this miniature amphibian uses a dorsal pouch to carry and nurture its young. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 That goes for the handy miniature toiletries, too. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
The film also features a car chase depicted with miniatures and stop-motion animation to convey humanoid figures who have removed their skin. Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 Most pieces last for three or four minutes, and the album feels like a collection of closely connected miniatures. Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • With little more than a few beach chairs and a tiny oceanfront bar, these cozy accommodations feel perfectly remote and removed, just what the doctor ordered for your stay on Anegada.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The flashes occurred as tiny fragments of cosmic material, or micrometeoroids, impacted the lunar surface.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For classics that lack CAD designs, the cars can be scanned to make computer models for reproduction.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The Uncertainty Factor for the Grizzly Bear Cubs FWP researcher Cecily Costello noted that the timing of the birth aligns with typical grizzly reproduction patterns, as females generally have their first cubs between ages five and six.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the years since then, Cordes and his team have followed nearly three hundred individual coral colonies within sixteen kilometres of the spill, recording minuscule changes in color, branch lengths, and physical integrity.
    Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • On a night where Clay Holmes was dominant, tossing seven scoreless innings with four strikeouts, Roupp exceeded his minuscule margin of error.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And as far as attention to detail, each follow in the footsteps of Amalgam’s miniature Formula 1 replicas and its previous partnerships with Maranello, which include a diminutive 12Cilindri.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
  • O’Leary’s just been peppering the house manager with questions about her business and admiring the replica of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man that dominates the entryway.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Then an instrument on the lander will beam lasers outward to the rovers to compare their distances with microscopic precision.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
  • These outermost layers are held together by microscopic hooks, making sea otter coats essentially waterproof.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Many imitation almond extracts or essences rely on synthetic benzaldehyde for flavor, which can create saccharine notes that overpower delicate desserts like custards, sponges, or pastry creams.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
  • UniFlex enables efficient cross-scenario task generalization and imitation learning.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Economic opportunity is one of the many parts of the league’s evaluation model for expansion cities, which makes Ally’s move into women’s hockey intriguing.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • As for where the strongest storms will be, Hinton said forecast models point to closer to the coastline.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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