DIMINUTIVE Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'diminutive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of diminutive are little , miniature , minute , small , and tiny . While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness. // diminutive bonsai plants

Q: When can 'little' be used instead of 'diminutive'?

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

Q: When would 'miniature' be a good substitute for 'diminutive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive , miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale. // a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Q: When might 'minute' be a better fit than 'diminutive'?

In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness. // a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

Q: How are the words 'small' and 'little' related as synonyms of 'diminutive'?

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

Q: How do 'tiny' and 'minute' relate to one another, in the sense of 'diminutive'?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute . // tiny cracks formed in the painting

diminutive 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of diminutive next

as in small

of a size that is less than average a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diminutive

2 of 2

noun

də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv

as in dwarf

a living thing much smaller than others of its kind dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word diminutive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of diminutive are little, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of diminutive?

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

your pathetic little smile

When would miniature be a good substitute for diminutive?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive, miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When might minute be a better fit than diminutive?

In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related as synonyms of diminutive?

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

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of diminutive?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of diminutive

Adjective

That leaves the diminutive Tariq Lamptey, who has been inconsistent when given opportunities. —

Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 As expected with these diminutive masses, brown dwarfs are rarely found in binaries. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Noun

Hebrew Meaning: Bee Alternative Spellings & Variations: Deborah, Debbie Karen Origin: Danish Meaning: Pure Fun Fact: Karen is a Danish diminutive of Katherine. —

Katie Nolan, Parents, 5 Sep. 2024 When Lupita was born in Mexico, her parents decided to honor her birthplace by giving her a name that’s a diminutive of the patron saint of Mexicans, Guadalupe. —

Yasmeen Hamadeh, Peoplemag, 29 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for diminutive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminutive

Adjective

Billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos created Blue Origin back in 2000, but has to date only launched the smaller suborbital New Shepard rockets from its facilities in West Texas.

RICHARD TRIBOU ORLANDO SENTINEL (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Reata at the Rodeo, a smaller but no less impressive version of the Southwestern steakhouse in downtown Fort Worth, will open at 11 a.m. Jan. 17 and will serve all day most days.

Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025