minced; mincing
1
a
: to cut or chop into very small pieces
She minced the garlic.
b
: to subdivide minutely
especially
: to damage by cutting up
The director minced up the play.
2
: to utter or pronounce with affectation
minced the word in the manner of the old lady
3
a
archaic
: minimize
b
: to restrain (words) within the bounds of decorum
minced no words in stating his dislike—
J. T. Farrell
J. T. Farrell
: to walk with short steps in a prim affected manner
The comedian minced across the stage.
mincer
noun
1
: small chopped bits (as of food)
specifically
: mincemeat
2
British
: hamburger sense 1a
Examples of mince in a Sentence
Verb
She minced the onions.
minced some garlic and added it to the stew
Recent Examples on the Web
Erin Clack, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Former banker: What to know about Mark Carney, Canada's next prime minister
Defying Trump - a winning strategy
Speaking to a crowd Sunday after members of the ruling Liberal party selected him as leader − and Canada's next prime minister − Mark Carney didn't mince words.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
When asked about motherhood for a group interview, Donna Kelce didn’t mince words.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2025
Twelve Steps for White America is not a book for the defensive as Watson is forthright and doesn’t mince words in what feels like a one-on-one conversation with the reader.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mince
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Verb
In the comments, fellow Redditors didn't mince words in telling the OP that her friend is not very much of a friend at all.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Former banker: What to know about Mark Carney, Canada's next prime minister
Defying Trump - a winning strategy
Speaking to a crowd Sunday after members of the ruling Liberal party selected him as leader − and Canada's next prime minister − Mark Carney didn't mince words.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
When asked about motherhood for a group interview, Donna Kelce didn’t mince words.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2025
Twelve Steps for White America is not a book for the defensive as Watson is forthright and doesn’t mince words in what feels like a one-on-one conversation with the reader.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mince
Cite this Entry
“Mince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mince. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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