mincing

adjective

minc·​ing ˈmin(t)-siŋ How to pronounce mincing (audio)
: affectedly dainty or delicate
taking mincing steps
mincingly adverb

Examples of mincing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The rental agent listened to my concerns and matched me with the Harley Heritage Softail, a thinking man’s bagger with leather panniers, weighing in at a mincing and elegant 700 pounds. New York Times, 27 Oct. 2021 Pioneer Natural Resources founder and CEO Scott Sheffield isn’t mincing words about a two-pronged threat pressuring independent oil and gas producers. Dallas News, 27 Mar. 2020 This teenager isn't afraid to speak out David Hogg is not mincing words. Editors, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2018 As outrage mounts over the treatment of migrant families at the U.S.–Mexico border, New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon is not mincing words. Gabriella Paiella, The Cut, 22 June 2018 So, President Trump also talking immigration today, and not mincing words either. Fox News, 17 May 2018 At a time when most of the artists on the island have been seduced by the market and many writers maintain a complicit silence, independent movies are not mincing words. Sarah Moreno, miamiherald, 20 Mar. 2018 That doesn't mean the former Texas A&M quarterback isn't mincing words. Mark Heim, AL.com, 21 Feb. 2018 Thank you, anonymous source, for not mincing words. Tom Philip, GQ, 17 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mincing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mincing was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near mincing

Cite this Entry

“Mincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mincing. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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