MINOR Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

minor 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmī-nər

Definition of minor

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smaller

of little or less value or merit a minor poet who is little read nowadays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

lacking importance only a minor detail, which we can easily disregard for the moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

minor

2 of 2

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 minor

Adjective

There’s too often little reporting on roller-coaster incidents, in part because rules and regulations can vary by state, and also because most infractions are deemed relatively minor and quickly handled in-house by the various parks. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 For scratches or minor dings from fender benders, owners can replace the exterior body panels themselves. — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

Noun

But his reputation was dealt a grievous blow by the Epstein files, which showed that Botstein corresponded closely with the late financier for years, including after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Police said both the teen and Childers sustained non-life-threatening minor to moderate injuries in the crash. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for minor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for minor

Adjective

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.

— Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
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.

— Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023

Definition of lesser

Adjective

The idea is to sound like an inferior buck in the brush, one that is roaming around a mature deer’s space and getting on his nerves.

— Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Only 272 yards, at home, against a UCLA team that unquestionably has inferior talent?

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Noun

The tale is not just about an individual tragedy but one that exposes inequities involving the mistreatment of juveniles and the corrupting influence of power.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
At least 12 people, including six juveniles, were injured in a shooting near Florida A&M University's Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday night, authorities said.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of juvenile

Adjective

That protects state budgets but leaves businesses within their borders with less money to invest.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The initiative reframed support less as simply offering filmmakers a platform to tell stories about displacement than giving them the professional connections needed to continue working.

— Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of less

Adjective

The East got a lot meaner over the summer, headlined by LeBron James taking his talents to Philadelphia.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The clear differences, especially how much shoppers care about price, discounts and traditional channels like email and SMS instead of social media, mean brands should focus less on chasing new tech trends and more on the basics that drive sales.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of mean

Adjective

The Weather Prediction Center has already placed most of South Florida under a Level 2 risk of excessive heavy rainfall with a slight risk of flash flooding on Sunday.

— Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Yet Georgia coach Kirby Smart wasn’t surprised in the slightest to see Puglisi step in and execute the offense.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of slight

Noun

Ariel Gutiérrez’s intimate coming-of-age drama examines how sudden loss can force an adolescent to confront fear, responsibility and the possibility of rebuilding a life after trauma.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Getty An island that had spent decades pairing glamour with license was perhaps the wrong place to entrust an adolescent to unusually permissive relatives.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of adolescent

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mink

minor

minorities

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Minor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minor. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of minor

adjective

noun

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