minimal
adjective
min·i·mal
ˈmi-nə-məl 
1
: relating to or being a minimum: such as
a
: the least possible
a victory won with minimal loss of life
b
: barely adequate
a minimal standard of living
c
: very small or slight
a minimal interest in art
2
often capitalized
: of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism
Synonyms
Examples of minimal in a Sentence
The storm caused minimal damage.
areas at minimal risk for flooding
Recent Examples on the Web
This has allowed the Russians to be on the offensive in recent months, though the battlefield gains have been minimal.
—
Greg Myre, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024
Meta laid off around 21,000 workers from the end of 2022 into the first half of 2023, and Zuckerberg told analysts the company’s hiring going forward would be comparatively minimal.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
When Xi has faced headwinds, his policy pullback has been minimal, and the adjustments have been narrow and targeted.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The quantitative impact of the fans’ choices is minimal — accounting for about 0.3 percent of the total — but creates a fair amount of buzz.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
By contrast, dissent against Biden among Democrats in higher-income areas like Land Park and East Sacramento was relatively minimal.
—Phillip Reese, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024
The minimal space is like a touch of Paris in the Middle East.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
That plan is a private high-risk pool that provides minimal coverage at multiple times the cost of regular policies.
—John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
When the settlement cost approaches or exceeds the value of the vehicle, the insurer will typically take ownership and either scrap it, break it up for parts, or fix and sell it again if the damage is minimal.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Greg Myre, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024
Meta laid off around 21,000 workers from the end of 2022 into the first half of 2023, and Zuckerberg told analysts the company’s hiring going forward would be comparatively minimal.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
When Xi has faced headwinds, his policy pullback has been minimal, and the adjustments have been narrow and targeted.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The quantitative impact of the fans’ choices is minimal — accounting for about 0.3 percent of the total — but creates a fair amount of buzz.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
By contrast, dissent against Biden among Democrats in higher-income areas like Land Park and East Sacramento was relatively minimal.
—Phillip Reese, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024
The minimal space is like a touch of Paris in the Middle East.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
That plan is a private high-risk pool that provides minimal coverage at multiple times the cost of regular policies.
—John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
When the settlement cost approaches or exceeds the value of the vehicle, the insurer will typically take ownership and either scrap it, break it up for parts, or fix and sell it again if the damage is minimal.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'minimal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near minimal
Cite this Entry
“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimal. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
minimal
adjective
min·i·mal
ˈmin-ə-məl
: relating to or being a minimum : constituting the least possible with respect to size, number, degree, or certain stated conditions
tuberosity fractures heal with minimal … treatment—J. S. Keene et al.
J. S. Keene et al.residents receive a minimal level of personal care—A. S. Oser
A. S. Oserside effects are minimal
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