as in slightest
being the least in amount, number, or size possible
the beached whales were returned to the sea with only minimal loss of life
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Recent Examples of minimal
The Celtics staged that run despite minimal contributions from their two central stars.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Olsen’s home north of Highway 380 sustained minimal damage with most of the tree limb debris landing in his front yard.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
This comes from minimal natural dust and the grain’s inherent characteristics, rather than from the saponins.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
While the vaccines hit the market in December 2020, uptake was extremely minimal until early in 2021.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimal
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Olsen’s home north of Highway 380 sustained minimal damage with most of the tree limb debris landing in his front yard.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
This comes from minimal natural dust and the grain’s inherent characteristics, rather than from the saponins.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
While the vaccines hit the market in December 2020, uptake was extremely minimal until early in 2021.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minimal
Adjective
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The fellowship is focused on early-stage businesses with a minimum annual revenue of $75,000.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Catholic leaders such as Monsignor John Ryan turned Leo’s teaching into policy, including by writing one of America’s first minimum-wage laws.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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While that’s painful for house hunters, note that the surge was the 18th-smallest among states and trailed the 93% jump nationally.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ceija Stojka’s small paintings at the Drawing Center swarm with such harrowing incident that viewers may not spot the mystery in the bottom right corner of many of her canvases.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Pistons are small favorites on the road for Game 3.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minimal. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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