minute 1 of 3

noun

ˈmi-nət How to pronounce minute (audio)
Definition of minutenext
as in second
a very small space of time I'll be with you in just a minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

minute

2 of 3

adjective

mī-ˈnüt How to pronounce minute (audio)
1
as in detailed
including many small descriptive features a minute description of the setting of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in little
lacking importance a person who wastes her time on the most minute aspects of everyday life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slight
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention only minute differences between the two photographic prints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy a minute examination of the marine specimen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tiny
very small in size made some minute adjustments to the controls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

minute

3 of 3

verb

as in to transcribe

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective minute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of minute are circumstantial, detailed, and particular. While all these words mean "dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point," minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

In what contexts can circumstantial take the place of minute?

The synonyms circumstantial and minute are sometimes interchangeable, but circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

When might detailed be a better fit than minute?

Although the words detailed and minute have much in common, detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

When is particular a more appropriate choice than minute?

The words particular and minute can be used in similar contexts, but particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

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 minute
Noun
Dominic, dressed in a gray suit and light green tie, spoke little during the 30-minute hearing, and had to have the judge repeat herself several times because of hearing issues. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The following day, the man arrived a few minutes early to his appointment, and Naranjo sent another email to the agents. — Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
According to the National Park Service, about 80 percent of visitors to Yosemite never venture beyond Yosemite Valley, which makes up a minute percentage of this 1,190-square-mile park. — Matt Bell, AFAR Media, 19 May 2026 Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious. — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for minute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minute
  1. second
  2. detailed
  3. little
  4. slight
  5. subtle
  6. tiny
  7. transcribe
  8. moment
Noun
  • Its 100mm pixel macro lens captures 28 images per second in order to guide the jet to the gaps in your teeth.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The two stabbings happened about 20 seconds apart, Tisch said.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of second
Adjective
  • There are no surprises, only faithful responses to the driver’s inputs and an abundance of detailed feedback.
    — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • To get a better understanding of who this individual was, researchers have spent the past few years conducting a detailed analysis of the remains’ DNA and isotopes, and the chemical properties of the metallic artefacts and the decorative band.
    — Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • Big picture The league and the union are meeting regularly on various topics, but their disagreement on core economics — whether to move to a cap system — leaves little room for progress on the major issues.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Early pothole testing actually caused a slight structural bend in a rear swingarm.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slight
Adjective
  • Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The Moon’s awkward angle to Venus this morning may bring tiny mismatches around timing, mood, or social plans, but nothing needs to become a big deal.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • One such collection of it-narratives survives in the form of the tiny manuscript books authored by children associated with the prominent New England Hale family.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of tiny
Verb
  • For buyers, key features include voice notes transcribed in real time, optical character recognition technology that reads the article number, composition, weight, and wash code from hang tag, and the ability to create mood boards and more.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The technology can transcribe and translate speech, identify objects and scene content, and infer location cues from video.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of transcribe
Noun
  • There’s also been lots of moments to dress up for too, with megawatt tours from Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Zara Larsson; maximalist pop stars with fans eager to follow their lead in sequins and ties, hibiscus flowers in hair.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • First, Mary Carillo, the former player and trailblazing broadcaster and journalist, had her moment.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of moment

Phrases Containing minute

Browse Nearby Words

minuses
minute
minuted
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Cite this Entry

“Minute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minute. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on minute

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about minute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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