Definition of tinynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tiny distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of tiny are diminutive, little, miniature, minute, and small. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

When could diminutive be used to replace tiny?

While in some cases nearly identical to tiny, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When is little a more appropriate choice than tiny?

The meanings of little and tiny largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When might miniature be a better fit than tiny?

The words miniature and tiny can be used in similar contexts, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When can minute be used instead of tiny?

Although the words minute and tiny have much in common, 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 tiny?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

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 tiny The animal, fizzing with the inexhaustible energy of a creature bred for hauling chockablock toboggans, was confined to a tiny pen, a mere twenty feet square, behind the neighbor’s trailer. Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 The tiny parasite responsible for the illness is called Cyclospora cayetanensis. Michelle Marchante july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026 In most cases, a brittle solid will have a teeny, tiny defect — a crack at the scale of tens of nanometers. Rohini Subrahmanyam, Quanta Magazine, 10 July 2026 Four tiny bright yellow blobs seeded on the way to reception. Antonio Garrido, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tiny
Adjective
  • How crawling with minuscule life indifferent to the one that ended here.
    Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Still, the game’s result seemed minuscule when stacked against Alfonso’s personal tragedy and the earthquake’s destruction in Venezuela.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Touching infested water, even just a splash, can risk infection, as microscopic larvae swimming along the surface are able to wriggle through skin.
    William McCarthy, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • The culprit, Cyclospora cayetanensis, is a microscopic parasite that’s found in human feces.
    Caroline Kee, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • The sensor also controlled liquid droplets in a miniature fluidic device and directed hair-like flexible structures without software.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • The old collection of miniature plastic bottles is gone, replaced by large refillable dispensers.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.
    Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.
    Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tiny. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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