tiny

adjective

ˈtī-nē How to pronounce tiny (audio)
Definition of tinynext
as in minuscule
very small in size the forest ranger showed us how every square foot of forest is alive with tiny creatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 business also offered plans for tiny homes, about the size of an efficiency apartment. —Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026 Stewart, her husband and their three kids shared the tiny space together, sleeping on a king-sized mattress on the floor. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 Four years, ago one Facebook user — class of ‘74 — wrote that her father came from the tiny town of Elsmore, Kansas to watch her graduate. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026 He was born very poor in the tiny village of Palaco, Mexico. —Literary Hub, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tiny
  1. minuscule
  2. microscopic
  3. miniature
  4. small
Adjective
  • But this minuscule bit was trapped within a diamond, keeping its crystal structure intact.
    — James Dinneen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
  • The polygraph is composed of several minuscule sensors in one soft device.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Definition of minuscule
Adjective
  • Given these past successes, a group of Chinese researchers decided to use microscopic samples of Homo erectus teeth from three sites in China, each dating to about 400,000 years ago.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
  • Those eggs are microscopic and hatch quickly, and no amount of surface washing can reliably reach what may have burrowed inside.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Definition of microscopic
Adjective
  • During an appearance at a Savannah Bananas game at Angel Stadium, Hough started a dance routine by tossing a miniature mirrorball to Olson, who shrugged toward the camera.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • The researchers said the setup avoids the wiring complexity found in conventional miniature sensors.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Definition of miniature
Adjective
  • Eggs, sushi, and crypto The account paid attention to smaller stories, too.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
  • East is a boutique hotel, some condos, and a small residential neighborhood with a few local restaurants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Definition of small

Browse Nearby Words

tintypes
tiny
tip
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Cite this Entry

“Tiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tiny. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tiny

Nglish: Translation of tiny for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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