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 However, the Japanese team, led by Professor Eiichi Nakamura, discovered a way to create tiny diamonds (nanodiamonds) at relatively low pressures using an electron beam. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025 Found nowhere else on the planet, this tiny amphibian is known for its unique method of parenting, with male Darwin’s frogs gestating their young in the vocal sac below their mouth. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 But that changed in July amid a dispute with Peru over a tiny island called Santa Rosa that lies in the Amazon River a few hundred yards across the water from Leticia. John Otis, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025 Dakota Albritton is from tiny Ellaville, Ga. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tiny
Adjective
  • Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and minuscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
  • And if the Panthers struggle, the difference in picks could be minuscule.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the early 20th century, Marcel Breuer and Alvar Aalto created miniature versions of their existing pieces.
    Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Tini's owner had shared on Instagram that the miniature dachshund was born in 2024 and that the pair are based in Dallas, Texas.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This scaffold contains microscopic channels filled with spinal neural progenitor cells, or sNPCs.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Fayette County Coroner's Office in Lexington, Kentucky, said in a statement that an autopsy on the male infant was inconclusive, adding extensive microscopic analysis is needed to determine how the infant died.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Aalo expects to complete construction and reach criticality by July 4, 2026, a timeline the company says demonstrates the speed at which small, modular nuclear reactors can be deployed.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Snap up travel essentials, comfy pajamas, small kitchen must-haves, and more gems.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tiny. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tiny

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