puny

1 of 2

adjective

pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē 

punier; puniest

: slight or inferior in power, size, or importance : weak

punily

ˈpyü-nə-lē 

adverb

puniness

ˈpyü-nē-nəs 

noun

puniness

2 of 2

noun

pu·​ni·​ness -nēnə̇s 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being puny

Synonyms of puny

Adjective

• small
• diminutive
• little
• tiny

Examples of puny in a Sentence

Adjective

I wouldn't mess with him—he makes bodybuilders look puny in comparison.

We laughed at their puny attempt to trick us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the processes that govern gene regulation are proving so complex that some biologists wonder whether a full understanding of it — of how the genome really works — will ever be within the grasp of our puny minds. — Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 18 June 2026

Familiarity has reduced the plane into a puny can. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026

The turbine maxed out at 25 kilowatts—puny compared to modern machines that generate up to 26 megawatts, but more than most energy experts expected from wind technology in November 1976. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2026

In an earlier era, this panorama might have communicated the puny anonymity of corporate life. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Anglo-French puisné younger, weakly, literally, born afterward, from puis afterward + né born

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for puny

• looney
• loony
• mooney
• muni
• nguni
• sunni

Kids Definition

puny

adjective

pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē 

punier; puniest

: slight or lesser in power, size, or importance : weak

puniness noun

Etymology

Adjective

from early French puisné "younger," literally, "born afterward," from puis "afterward" and né "born"