1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa
Synonyms & Similar Words
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3
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
just some paltry ruse to bilk the system
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
wanted me to sell him my old records for a paltry sum
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paltry
The paltry level of retirement savings may also help explain rising poverty among older Americans.
—
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Based on the 2022 video game by David Szymanski, Iron Lung takes place far in the future, after an apocalyptic event known as the Quiet Rapture has caused the disappearance of all of the stars, with only a paltry number of humans on space stations left as survivors.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Ferrell and Huff each had four sacks to lead the 49ers’ paltry totals.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
With such a paltry salary, advocates for the idea say, lawmakers are typically wealthy, retired or need to seek out help from patrons of one sort or another to get by.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Based on the 2022 video game by David Szymanski, Iron Lung takes place far in the future, after an apocalyptic event known as the Quiet Rapture has caused the disappearance of all of the stars, with only a paltry number of humans on space stations left as survivors.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Ferrell and Huff each had four sacks to lead the 49ers’ paltry totals.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
With such a paltry salary, advocates for the idea say, lawmakers are typically wealthy, retired or need to seek out help from patrons of one sort or another to get by.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paltry
Adjective
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Gallup reached only 50,000 people, a pitiful fraction of The Literary Digest’s awe-inspiring mailbag.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mercy came via a bye week, the pitiful Raiders and an inept Cowboys defense.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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There have also been reports that some migrants are being held at the processing center longer than ICE policy allows, something Veasey called unacceptable.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Government actions have an important symbolic value and show that authorities deem violence against women unacceptable, said Isadora Vianna, a sociology researcher from Rio de Janeiro State University.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Aerion was absolutely vile to him.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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That’s why every encounter with a non-vile mezcal should be celebrated, and the Desolas Mezcal Reposado is decidedly not vile.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The war with Hezbollah launched in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks never really ended, despite a nominal ceasefire that went into effect in November 2024.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Both had incumbents with nominal primary opposition, but the primaries to select a November challenger saw big spending.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Smith said the legislation could pass in December, during the lame-duck session of Congress that will follow November’s midterm elections, but that the coming days are critical.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe that’s a lame hook, but that, combined with the return of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, gets them back in their spot.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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City officials say the long-term leases make buying Liberty Station a poor investment for any potential buyer other than Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Vonn’s hugely successful World Cup season at age 41 was ended by a nasty crash one month ago at the Milan Cortina Olympics that wrecked her left leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the first inning of the club’s matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon, Sal Frelick waved haplessly at a nasty changeup from Edward Cabrera for his first strikeout of the day.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The slight kitten heels add a feminine touch, while the open design keeps your feet cool all day long.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Porcelain and ceramic tiles are both suitable, with porcelain offering a slight edge due to its better heat resistance.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paltry. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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