miniature 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of miniaturenext
as in tiny
very small in size a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

miniature

2 of 2

noun

ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce miniature (audio)
as in reproduction
an exact representation of something in greatly reduced size a diorama filled with miniatures of town buildings as they looked in the 19th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word miniature distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of miniature are diminutive, little, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When might diminutive be a better fit than miniature?

Although the words diminutive and miniature have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of miniature?

The synonyms little and miniature are sometimes interchangeable, but little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

In what contexts can minute take the place of miniature?

The words minute and miniature can be used in similar contexts, but 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 miniature?

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

a relatively small backyard

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of miniature?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

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 miniature
Adjective
At the base of each whisker filament are three miniature barometric-pressure sensors connected to an onboard microcontroller. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 The technology, which is integrated into a miniature laboratory called CubeLab, was developed by Space Tango and simulates the natural environment in the human body. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
Trader Joe’s is also loaded up with all things miniature this year. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026 Craft a miniature to add to Adam’s model town of Winter River, Connecticut, see ghosts at a science show, investigate sandworms on Titan, or visit Betelgeuse in the planetarium. — John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for miniature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miniature
  1. tiny
  2. reproduction
  3. minuscule
  4. replica
  5. microscopic
  6. imitation
  7. model
Adjective
  • Commonly associated with environmental risk factors such as smoking or exposure to hazards like radon, the rare but aggressively fast-growing condition gets its name from the unusually tiny appearance of its cells.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of tiny
Noun
  • Because of the aphids’ fast reproduction and ability to disperse quickly to other plants, Crumbley recommends focusing on reducing the pest’s harborage sites as opposed to introducing marigolds or other companion plants in the fall.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Framed reproduction prints from it now hang throughout the house.
    — Nuriyah Johar, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reproduction
Adjective
  • These informative passages function similarly to footnotes, but without the disruption of having to read minuscule print at the bottom of the page.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Study after study, by public officials and think tanks, has shown that voting by noncitizens and other ineligible voters happens only at minuscule, statistically insignificant levels.
    — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of minuscule
Noun
  • The Southern Alps are an almost exact replica of the Himalayas in terms of their lot formations and crevasse fields, according to Hiddleston.
    — Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The trio also talked about building a replica of the Young statue, which would be placed in the Renaissance Center once it is revamped.
    — Carol Cain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of replica
Adjective
  • Unlike conventional nuclear reactors, City Labs develops microscopic power sources that generate electricity and heat through the natural decay of tritium.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Root’s climate-tech company, Matter, created Regen, a universal, reusable, and self-cleaning filter for laundry machines that captures up to 97% of microscopic clothing fibers that would otherwise end up in wastewater systems.
    — Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of microscopic
Noun
  • The team that opened the season as the overwhelming favorite to win Super Bowl LXI continued to look like a cheap imitation.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors described a subculture within that online network that glorifies mass killers and encourages imitation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of imitation
Noun
  • By 2023, with tensions mounting between Israel and Hamas, Qatari officials pressed for a different model, one that would deliver assistance to Gazans without making civilians dependent on either Hamas or the Israeli government.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • For a complicated model with multiple color changes, the waste can become substantial.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of model

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Miniature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miniature. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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