as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
offered her guest only one measly cookie
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Recent Examples of measly
Over the first five minutes, Texas went 2-for-5 from the field with two turnovers while mustering a measly four points.
—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Apr. 2026
Tesla’s European loss leaders include Norway, where sales dropped an astonishing 93 percent in two years, from 1,108 units in January 2024 to a measly 83 in January of this year.
—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 18,
Futurism,
18 Feb. 2026
The real, or inflation-adjusted, increase was a measly 2% during his term — less than half a percent per year.
—
Peter St. Onge,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
The answer ultimately lies in the inverted pyramid’s layout, a bright red steak and giant stick of butter prominently featured above a measly sliver of whole grains.
—
Tania Fabo,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for measly
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Apr. 2026
Tesla’s European loss leaders include Norway, where sales dropped an astonishing 93 percent in two years, from 1,108 units in January 2024 to a measly 83 in January of this year.
—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 18,
Futurism,
18 Feb. 2026
The real, or inflation-adjusted, increase was a measly 2% during his term — less than half a percent per year.
—
Peter St. Onge,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
The answer ultimately lies in the inverted pyramid’s layout, a bright red steak and giant stick of butter prominently featured above a measly sliver of whole grains.
—
Tania Fabo,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for measly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for measly
Adjective
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The Tyumen refinery, one of the country's most modern and complex, has a nominal capacity of around 8 million metric tons per year.
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Self-park options are available for overnight guests for a nominal fee, and the hotel is dog-friendly (no additional fee).
Adjective
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The Emmys’ producers passing up on even the slightest possibility of a Werner Herzog acceptance speech is sheer lunacy.
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The team has improved so much that its 1-1 draw against powerhouse Brazil was a slight disappointment.
Adjective
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Merlin, a 2-year-old duck, has taken the internet by storm, captivating fans with his tiny form-fitting Team Mexico jersey and confident waddle around his home of Mexico City.
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Providing indefinite joy for the price of just one night at a hotel, this Instagram-worthy blow-up shelter is practically a portable tiny home that sets up within a few minutes.
Adjective
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The budget is slightly smaller than the current one, sets aside $14 billion in reserves and contains a paltry menu of tax cuts worth $146 million.
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The free-agent market is paltry at best, so Guerin will likely have to make his mark via trade.
Cite this Entry
“Measly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/measly. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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