as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
There will be a puny amount spent on commercials and campaign literature relative to the amount of ads and mail produced that promote Kinloch's candidacy.
—
M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
The adoption of foils shoves the bulk of race craft from sea to sky, where aerial friction is puny compared to the friction of water.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No studio interference, no Joss Whedon adding his own sensibility: This 242-minute totem is the purest expression of the maximalist filmmaker’s mythic take on the gods who roam the land, utilizing their incredible powers to protect us puny humans.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Reps the Royals would have preferred to give him at Triple-A Omaha before his neon numbers at the plate and their puny offensive production converged to accelerate the call-up.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
The adoption of foils shoves the bulk of race craft from sea to sky, where aerial friction is puny compared to the friction of water.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No studio interference, no Joss Whedon adding his own sensibility: This 242-minute totem is the purest expression of the maximalist filmmaker’s mythic take on the gods who roam the land, utilizing their incredible powers to protect us puny humans.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Reps the Royals would have preferred to give him at Triple-A Omaha before his neon numbers at the plate and their puny offensive production converged to accelerate the call-up.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
Going directly from cooking inside the house and only trying my own food to trying small restaurants and traveling within a week’s span was a blessing.—
Kenneth J. Williams Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
On a sunny morning in late June, his exercise regimen began with small steps: His right foot keeping pace with the treadmill, his left foot stationary, off to the side.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Vance played Trump’s diminutive assistant, reminiscent of Rourke’s diminutive assistant, Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize).—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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However, the diminutive blue Smurfs took over as Smurfs’ Enchanted Voyage in 1984.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In an environment like that of Gaza today, where most people live in tents or shelters with very little clean water, and with much of the sewage system destroyed, illness is rife and people with weakened immunity are at even greater risk, all the aid agencies said.—
Dawoud Abu Alkas,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Approximately 40% of cancers are preventable, but little attention has been paid to the value of exercise as a preventive measure.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the tall-grass prairies that once spread out across pre-settlement Indiana, tiny ground squirrels scurried through the wildflowers, grasses and shrubs.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
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These were tiny towns where restaurants serve breakfast with eggs supplied by on-property chickens and eagles are visible on mosquito-laden trails that railroad cars once trudged.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.—
Hollyanna McCollom,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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