1
as in titular
being something in name or form only
he was the nominal head of state—everyone knew the country was actually run by one of his advisers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slight
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
when you pay $400 for an airline ticket, a ticketing fee of five dollars seems nominal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in substantive
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nominal
Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Downside: The Chiefs’ downfield passing attack needs more than a nominal upgrade, given the dismal long pass numbers this offense posted.
—Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Treats and train rides are available for a nominal fee.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
However, New Delhi must address a number of chronic systemic issues that prevent the world’s fourth largest economy ($4.19 trillion by nominal gross domestic product) from becoming a competitive manufacturing destination.
—Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nominal
Noun
Sales growth is closely tied to nominal GDP growth, which combines after-inflation economic growth (real GDP) with inflation.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Downside: The Chiefs’ downfield passing attack needs more than a nominal upgrade, given the dismal long pass numbers this offense posted.
—Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Treats and train rides are available for a nominal fee.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
However, New Delhi must address a number of chronic systemic issues that prevent the world’s fourth largest economy ($4.19 trillion by nominal gross domestic product) from becoming a competitive manufacturing destination.
—Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nominal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nominal
Adjective
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Along with the news, the streamer shared the first photo of lead actor Dominic McLaughlin in costume as the titular character.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
Lintz of course co-starred opposite Titus Welliver on Prime Video’s Bosch and then its spinoff Bosch: Legacy, playing the titular LAPD detective turned P.I.’s daughter, Maddie, who over the course of 10 total seasons went from tragedy- and crisis-prone teen to a patrolman for the LAPD.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Car buyers are benefiting from a slight downturn in interest rates, too.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
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The agency also issued forecast alerts of slight sea level changes for the rest of Japan’s coastline.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
First Acts: From the symbolic to the substantive, here is a look at what nine new governors elected last year have done in their first weeks in office.—
Maggie Astor,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2023
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With his substantive, agreeably granular bass, David Grogan gave prophetic warnings real authority.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
23 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Readings were negligible, including at the entrance to the property.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2025
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In this study, however, a slight drop in core temperature wasn't statistically significant, so its benefits are negligible even if it is perceived as more comfortable.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
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Her tiny strides nestled among the cypress trees near the Guadalupe River.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Without wanting to trivialize egregious breaches of sovereignty like the invasion of Ukraine, most are undeniably petty.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
-
The disappearance of dozens of shopping carts, the closure of self-checkout lanes, and a visible rise in shoplifting, panhandling, loitering and petty crime left customers, managers and officials at City Hall all trading blame.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nominal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nominal. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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