minute 1 of 3

noun

ˈmi-nət How to pronounce minute (audio)
Definition of minutenext
as in second
a very small space of time I'll be with you in just a minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

minute

2 of 3

adjective

mī-ˈnüt How to pronounce minute (audio)
1
as in detailed
including many small descriptive features a minute description of the setting of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in little
lacking importance a person who wastes her time on the most minute aspects of everyday life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention only minute differences between the two photographic prints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy a minute examination of the marine specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tiny
very small in size made some minute adjustments to the controls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

minute

3 of 3

verb

as in to transcribe

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective minute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of minute are circumstantial, detailed, and particular. While all these words mean "dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point," minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

In what contexts can circumstantial take the place of minute?

The synonyms circumstantial and minute are sometimes interchangeable, but circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

When might detailed be a better fit than minute?

Although the words detailed and minute have much in common, detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

When is particular a more appropriate choice than minute?

The words particular and minute can be used in similar contexts, but particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

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 minute
Noun
By Disqualification Cody Rhodes jumped Gunther to begin the main event with 14 minutes left in the show. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026 Vikram-1 had ticked all of its boxes by just 17 minutes after liftoff, leading to a pronouncement from mission control. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 July 2026
Adjective
Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious. — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 And Corona del Mar’s Sofia Szymanowski joined the sub-minute club in the girls breaststroke. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for minute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minute
  1. second
  2. detailed
  3. little
  4. nominal
  5. subtle
  6. tiny
  7. transcribe
  8. moment
Noun
  • There have been 35 goals within five seconds of a corner being taken.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Players each have 30 seconds on a personal clock, so whoever takes the longest and runs out of time first — sometimes because Jacquis calls for detailed clarifications — gets booted.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of second
Adjective
  • The thermal jiggling of atoms is a constant threat to the precision needed for detailed calculations.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
  • The depth camera provided detailed information about nearby obstacles, while the LiDAR allowed the robot to detect terrain several meters ahead, giving it enough time to plan its movements at high speed.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • At a press conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, government officials said that the fire had started unusually close to the community in Collins, leaving little time to respond.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • International goods trade comprises nearly a third of the state's nominal GDP, with the state particularly exposed to tariffs that were not invalidated by February's Supreme Court ruling.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • The judge also awarded Biden $1 in nominal damages and ordered Byrne to pay nearly $35,000 in court sanctions.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of nominal
Adjective
  • But Scheft and his team are mastering the subtle differences and plan to offer many of the same loaves available in Boston, though the bakeries will have a few different offerings.
    — Connie Ogle July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • In one of Nolan’s subtle but important additions to Homer’s tale, all throughout the film, everyone expresses fears about the People from the Sea, this unseen menace terrorizing different towns.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • This allows the hybrid system to operate continuously for days or even weeks with a tiny power system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • That gives the three imminent data centers in Miami-Dade a tinier footprint than the headline makers elsewhere in the state, said Margaret Cook, vice president of water and community resilience at the Houston Advanced Research Center.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of tiny
Verb
  • The Odyssey, composed by the Greek poet Homer, was transcribed circa 750-850 BC, according to the BBC.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
  • Artificial intelligence is rapidly inundating health care, from systems that transcribe doctor-patient conversations to algorithms trained to spot anomalies in chest X-rays.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of transcribe
Noun
  • Instead, Alfonzo’s first appearance, the culmination of nine tireless years, was somber , stricken by the grief overshadowing what should’ve been a joyous moment in the Dodgers’ to the Padres.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • With three Japanese players around him, the decision to immediately engage during such a transitional moment was incorrect.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of moment

Phrases Containing minute

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minuses
minute
minuted
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Cite this Entry

“Minute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minute. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on minute

Nglish: Translation of minute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about minute

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