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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
Benny tells his problems to the Megan Fox poster hanging in his dorm room like a talisman of straightness—and the miniature Fox replies. Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2025 The miniature red Mario hat on top ties the whole meal together! Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
Singh’s early work weaves mythology and folklore, incorporating recurring symbols (flowers, turtles, cars, mangoes...) and often featuring borders, sometimes floral, in the style of Indian miniatures. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 The lodge looked like a miniature in the shadow of the jagged mountains. Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
Adjective
  • And with the ability to connect more than 120 devices, the tiny Slate 7 is suitable for use by work teams, families and multi-device users.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Don't give in to temptation and cross over with your mower—not even a tiny bit.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Book a hang gliding lesson or pilot a reproduction of the glider the Wright brothers flew in 1902.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
  • The reproduction of the gallows is certain to evoke strong emotions for visitors.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The sample size is minuscule, but Washe had excellent play-driving metrics in his limited ice time.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • The ratings numbers will be … well, what’s an adjective worse than minuscule?
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The strike hinges on a single issue: SAG-AFTRA’s strong concerns regarding consent and compensation for the use of AI replicas.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • Infantino has appeared at Trump's rallies, dined with him at Davos, and even presented him with a replica of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy — now displayed in the Oval Office.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Competitive advantage lies in differentiation, not imitation.
    Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Rare Breed agreed not to develop FRTs for pistols and to enforce its patents to block potentially unsafe imitations.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Our leaders intervened to retrain the model, preserving our commitment to personalized service.
    Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The findings are challenging the international adoption industry, which was built on the model created in South Korea.
    THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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