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the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa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
In May of 2025, that number fell to a staggering $961,084, while June was an equally paltry $1 million.
—
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2026
On top of the tariff challenges, paltry snowfall in the West has led to less exposure for Wildcoat’s gear.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2026
On top of the tariff challenges, paltry snowfall in the West has led to less exposure for Wildcoat’s gear.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paltry
Adjective
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Given that California ranks a pitiful 49th in the nation in the condition, safety and costs of roads and bridges, according to the Reason Foundation’s 2025 Annual Highway Report, taxpayers’ transportation dollars would likely be better spent elsewhere.—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
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The rear cargo space is pitiful for a vehicle of this size, price, and classification.—
Jesus R. Garcia,
Houston Chronicle,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch’s correspondences with Epstein, his unacceptable relationship with this man deserves censure.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Artemis has been trudging along at a once-every-three-years flight rate, which Isaacman deems unacceptable.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cinderella with one vile stepsister would be locked in a zero-sum game.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Other presidents have been partisan; other presidents have exhibited vile behavior.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Because a present that is over $100, Miss Manner assures you, is indeed meant for a wedding and not a shower, whose gifts are supposed to be more nominal.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In an alternative scenario, the cap would stay fixed in nominal dollar terms, in our examples at $100,000 or $70,000 sans bumps for the CPI, for 20 or 30 years, and after those intervals grow in tandem with wages.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But large-scale remedies, such as finding alternative sources of revenue like a general tax increase to offset property tax cuts, are less likely when lawmakers and Pritzker are seeking reelection — though political pressures are lessened after the November general election in a lame-duck session.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This struck me as heartbreakingly lame and, therefore, as a moment of vital consequence.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The city of Plano scores restaurants on a 100-point system, with 100 considered a perfect score and 70 extremely poor.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the especially nasty autumn of 1954, women in June Cleaver dresses and gas masks protested outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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The show excels at casting a spell through odd details, nasty red herrings, disturbing clues.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Most predictor sites and betting services show Knueppel with a slight lead, but with Flagg fast surging since his March 5 return from a left midfoot sprain.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The key is to consciously combine the shades of green, either within a color family for a calm, elevated look or with slight contrasts to create tension.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paltry. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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