minute 1 of 3

Definition of minutenext

minute

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adjective

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minute

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verb

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

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

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
Over the course of 25 minutes Breslow and Kennedy explained their decision to fire one of the most accomplished managers in franchise history after just 26 games and elevate Triple-A manager Chad Tracy to the big league role on an interim basis. Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026 Mostly playing in the fourth quarter, the reserve guard shot 3 for 4 from 3-point range en route to 11 points in 19 minutes – his third double-digit scoring game in the past six. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
In cold-atom environments, where disturbances are minimized, even minute frequency shifts could become detectable. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026 The research, which will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session later this month, relied on minute-level heart rate data from nearly 15,000 adults. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for minute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minute
Noun
  • Kapanen silenced the raucous sellout crowd at Honda Center 38 seconds after the opening faceoff with his fourth goal in four games.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The molecule is activated with hydrogen peroxide, and the micromotors move the particle at 7 micrometers per second.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Scammers can repeat this process hundreds of times a day, building detailed profiles with very little effort.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The board approved the plan, but also is seeking a more detailed delineation of the affordable housing elements.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the correspondents’ dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.
    Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Security has typically been focused on the ballroom — rather than the hotel at large — with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.
    Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And, in the end, none of the aforementioned might be available except for Ja Morant, who might be only a nominal upgrade, if that.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Companies provide most of the capital; Pegasus contributes a nominal share for compliance reasons and manages the investments.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Throughout her trip to the United States, the Queen has reliably chosen British designers in a subtle showing of sartorial support of her homeland.
    Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Such subtle tweaks in rhythm and resolution are more subtle, and more rewarding, than a straightforward joke-and-punchline setup.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • What last Friday’s 5-0 win away to Sunderland might have done for Pereira is give him just a tiny bit more freedom; the opportunity to go slightly stronger with his team selections in these two games against Villa, either side of a still-vital trip to Chelsea on Monday.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The technique used to measure the singularities’ velocity could open the door to studying other tiny, fast phenomena in physics, chemistry and biology—or perhaps to find new ways to encode quantum information in materials, according to the researchers.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • To prepare for the release of the 1926 census, archivists spent nearly three years conserving, digitizing and transcribing the decades-old data, McBride said.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Conversate makes the glasses listen to and transcribe your conversations, using Even's AI to summarize and even suggest topics related to the subject at hand.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The game changed in that moment.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And thus the audience is stuck with this scenario, which complicates in intensity and with a linguistic relish that has its funny moments (for some, anyway), but also features a lot of crudity that really wrenches you away from the typical landscape of the classy, urban American farce.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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