1
as in lesser
having not so great importance or rank as another
some minor official with an exaggerated sense of his own importance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smaller
of little or less value or merit
a minor poet who is little read nowadays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in small
lacking importance
only a minor detail, which we can easily disregard for the moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of minor
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
In this new financial environment, minor oversights could lead to unexpected fees and delays.
—Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
As a result, she was cited for permitting an unauthorized minor to drive, police said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minor
Adjective
No injuries were reported to any fire department personnel, but one 42-year-old male who freed himself out of the second story was treated for a minor wound and transported to the hospital in stable condition.
—Noun
Epstein was convicted in a Florida state court the previous year with one count each of soliciting a minor for prostitution and soliciting prostitution.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for minor
Adjective
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Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.—
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Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.—
Adjective
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The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.—
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There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.—
Noun
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Police said the group of seven juveniles and two 18-year-olds first hit Monterey Trail High School in the 8600 block of Power Inn Road, forcibly taking jewelry from at least one person before fleeing the campus.—
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According to the complaint, the two men and one of the juveniles practiced shooting at gun ranges in September and October.—
Adjective
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Each clever accessory is under $15 — that’s less than the cost of a sandwich special at my favorite deli.—
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Citizens Utility Board expressed outrage at the request, noting the increase would push the utility's total rate increases to more than $1 billion in less than a decade.—
Adjective
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The Heat had beat up on inferior opponents this season before Saturday’s ugly loss to the Pacers.—
-
The result is an inferior copy of the original.—
Adjective
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The ice punishes the slightest miscalculations, demands the sharpest of focus.—
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One report found there may be a slight benefit to moderate drinking, while the other concluded that even one drink a day was linked to a wide range of harms.—
Noun
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Choose the one that works best for your adolescent.—
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Driscoll’s workbook on mental health care for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes also walks through various strategies, including communication and problem-solving skills.—
Adjective
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People want to write mean things.—
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The Old Pal is like a Negroni, but meaner.—
Cite this Entry
“Minor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minor. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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