paltry

pal·try

adjective \ˈpȯl-trē\

pal·tri·erpal·tri·est

Definition of PALTRY

1

: inferior, trashy

2

: mean, despicable <a paltry trick>

3

: trivial <a paltry excuse>

4

: meager, measly <made a paltry donation>

— pal·tri·ness noun

Examples of PALTRY

1. <a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired>
2. <the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa>

Origin of PALTRY

obsolete paltry trash, from dialect palt, pelt piece of coarse cloth, trash; akin to Middle Low German palte rag

First Known Use: 1570

Related to PALTRY

Synonyms

cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, contemptible, pitiable, pitiful, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, sorry, wretched

Antonyms

admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy

Related Words

abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, detestable, execrable, hateful, loathsome, odious; disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive; discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, shameful; base, ignoble, low, shabby, sordid, squalid, vile; blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable; cowardly, craven, dastardly; unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous

Near Antonyms

high-minded, honest, honorable, noble, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, upright; ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous