1
as in elf
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
Snow White and the seven dwarfs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in diminutive
something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind
Shetland ponies are the dwarfs of the horse world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence
it would be ridiculous to compare the two sculptors—one's a giant of the art world and the other's a dwarf
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to halt
to hold back the normal growth of
shrubs dwarfed by the lack of water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dwarfish
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dwarf
Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026
Nearby dwarf galaxy Sextans A explains why.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
San Jose, of course, is hampered by a lack of five-star hotel rooms and a convention center dwarfed by San Francisco’s Moscone Center.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is now used by astronomers around the world to examine the wonders of the universe — including the presence of a black hole at the center of every massive galaxy, dark-matter halos around galaxies, and dwarf companion galaxies around the Milky Way, UChicago said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dwarf
Noun
Dwarf hollies, Tam and other dwarf junipers, dwarf nandinas – those are the sorts of plants that will give you that look.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026
Nearby dwarf galaxy Sextans A explains why.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Known for their compact size, disease resistance, and suitability for small spaces, dwarf apple trees are the perfect addition to any garden.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
San Jose, of course, is hampered by a lack of five-star hotel rooms and a convention center dwarfed by San Francisco’s Moscone Center.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The key is to choose a dwarf tree variety and a well-draining, roomy pot, and to take a few precautions to ensure your potted tree thrives.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is now used by astronomers around the world to examine the wonders of the universe — including the presence of a black hole at the center of every massive galaxy, dark-matter halos around galaxies, and dwarf companion galaxies around the Milky Way, UChicago said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dwarf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwarf
Noun
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The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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One of Magnason’s first jobs was at the National Archives of Iceland, where he was surrounded by books about the old Norse gods, colonial histories, and even stories about elves.—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the Olympics doesn't specify which city Tina lives in, her name is a diminutive for Cortina, one of the cities co-hosting the Winter Olympics.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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By contrast, Naroditsky, who went by Danya, the Russian diminutive of his first name, was known for his gentleness, his sensitivity.—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Seattle’s John Schneider and New England’s Eliot Wolf rose up from young nobodies to graduate from Green Bay Packers University, too.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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Many of Newsom’s critics who breathlessly report on his evil plans (that the left-wing mainstream media supposedly cover up) are just nobodies who feign authority and are obviously fronting for right-wing organizations.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Stellantis cancelled its line of Jeep plug-in hybrids earlier this year, and companies including Nissan and Tesla have halted or ended some EV models entirely.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Hospital officials halted care at the center's total 35 clinics in the state.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Poppies and lupines made surprise appearances in January joining more traditional early bloomers like fairy duster and chuparosa.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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Native to Central and South American deserts, fairy castle cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus ‘Monstrose’) is a night-blooming cereus that produces white flowers in the summer.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bolles made toy cars to be donated to children in Mexico, delivered personally by a local Santa Claus.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Keanu Reeves is back as Canadian daredevil toy Duke Caboom.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Marilyn is not presented as a cipher to be solved or quarry to be caged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 133 drones and one ballistic missile into the country overnight, of which 111 drones were shot down or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Yas calls Harper to feed her the bogus story that Lisa Dearn suppressed a memo that would have endangered Tender’s application with the banking regulator.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dwarf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwarf. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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