MEASLY Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

measly

adjective

ˈmēz-lē

Definition of measly

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of measly While sunny Florida gets a measly 11% of its energy from solar and wind, which are now our cheapest sources of electricity, Texas is getting more than 30% of its energy from those sources. — David Jenkins, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026 One bag serves three hearty portions, or four measly ones. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026 It can’t be helped that the foundation barely organized a study and sent one measly addiction specialist to the region. — Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for measly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for measly

Adjective

Rather than source a direct, probably expensive, replacement in the market, Carrick fielded a fluid front four on Saturday, with Bryan Mbeumo deputising as the nominal forward.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
United Russia, the country’s nominal ruling party, was never built to designate an heir; rather, it was meant to ensure that elections produced reliably pro-regime seat-fillers in institutions such as parliament.

— Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nominal

Adjective

Nashville was a slight favorite at kickoff, but Miami fielded a stellar starting lineup that included Sergio Reguilón, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Messi.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
At the slightest security alert, every point along the route can be brought to a standstill.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

Trade along the route remains tiny compared with major throughways like the Suez Canal and is dominated by Russian oil and gas, which – along with a few other LNG buyers in Asia – principally flow to China.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The amount of neutrino energy absorbed by the companion star, however, would be only a tiny fraction of the amount of energy the star emits on its own, so again, this is likely to have little effect.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tiny

Browse Nearby Words

meant

measly

measurable

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“Measly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/measly. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of measly

adjective

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