as in slightest
being the least in amount, number, or size possible
the beached whales were returned to the sea with only minimal loss of life
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Recent Examples of minimal
The Celtics staged that run despite minimal contributions from their two central stars.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Olsen’s home north of Highway 380 sustained minimal damage with most of the tree limb debris landing in his front yard.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
This comes from minimal natural dust and the grain’s inherent characteristics, rather than from the saponins.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
While the vaccines hit the market in December 2020, uptake was extremely minimal until early in 2021.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimal
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Olsen’s home north of Highway 380 sustained minimal damage with most of the tree limb debris landing in his front yard.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
This comes from minimal natural dust and the grain’s inherent characteristics, rather than from the saponins.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
While the vaccines hit the market in December 2020, uptake was extremely minimal until early in 2021.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minimal
Adjective
-
Part of a yearslong effort to reshape local zoning rules, the bill would’ve prohibited local governments from requiring that single-family home lots be larger than 2,000 square feet, making larger minimum sizes against state law.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
-
Villa could also be four days removed from winning (or at minimum playing in) the Europa League final, with all the emotion and celebrations/painful disappointment that would entail.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
While that’s painful for house hunters, note that the surge was the 18th-smallest among states and trailed the 93% jump nationally.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its gibbous disk appears small and featureless.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minimal. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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