as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
In comparison, Mars has only a tenuous atmosphere and small patches of a puny magnetic field.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Effectively a heavy qaudracycle, the original model offered a puny 17 horsepower (13 kW).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
But the rent roll was puny, and few tenants could have paid more even if rent stabilization had allowed for it.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Egg’s plucky insolence belies his puny size, a comedic contrast with Claffey’s ex-rugby player physique, and perhaps his seemingly humble origins as well.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Effectively a heavy qaudracycle, the original model offered a puny 17 horsepower (13 kW).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
But the rent roll was puny, and few tenants could have paid more even if rent stabilization had allowed for it.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Egg’s plucky insolence belies his puny size, a comedic contrast with Claffey’s ex-rugby player physique, and perhaps his seemingly humble origins as well.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
The cab’s dark interior seems to lure Rauschenberg in, but perhaps he was also drawn to the small round window, like a porthole, above the seat, which looks out at the distance behind the carriage.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Consider reshuffling your to-do list, because a small shift could save money and protect your energy.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Each of those films also features a plucky, diminutive hero who succeeds in the face of naysayers—an easy figure for any kid watching to root for.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
These ripe berries are alluringly red, uniformly speckled with dry, diminutive yellow seeds.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Residents in the San Gabriel Valley are contending with a dramatic surge in black flies, a painful little pest known for biting around the eyes and necks of people and pets.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
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Plus, little baby leaves are thinner.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The astronauts' cells have been placed on tiny chips and distributed throughout the capsule in an effort to understand these effects in greater detail.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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