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the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa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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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
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
In the end, Kapoor’s reckoning came over a dispute involving a relatively paltry $80,000 and an outsider.
—Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
The 31-year-old forward has a paltry return of three goals in 26 appearances since joining for £27m from Borussia Dortmund in 2024.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
While much of the western United States is struggling with warm temperatures and paltry early-season snowfall, Vermont and the Northeast have experienced a glut of precipitation.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
In the end, Kapoor’s reckoning came over a dispute involving a relatively paltry $80,000 and an outsider.
—Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
The 31-year-old forward has a paltry return of three goals in 26 appearances since joining for £27m from Borussia Dortmund in 2024.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
While much of the western United States is struggling with warm temperatures and paltry early-season snowfall, Vermont and the Northeast have experienced a glut of precipitation.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paltry
Adjective
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Mercy came via a bye week, the pitiful Raiders and an inept Cowboys defense.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Writer-director Craig Brewer resists the temptation to make Mike and Claire in any way pitiful or worthy of derision.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The behavior's unacceptable, and so this is our way to try to end it or stop it, at least here in Manteca.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That is completely unacceptable.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Just last week the president tweeted a vile and disgusting image of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and refuses to apologize.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Before, during, and after the founding of the United States, our cities, States, and country have continuously relied upon capital punishment as the ultimate deterrent and only proper punishment for the vilest crimes.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Seven has been the nominal crew size on the ISS since 2020.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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This year, though, both LaHood and Bost are running unopposed in the March 17 GOP primary and Miller’s facing only nominal opposition.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Saying the house is like a character too sounds a bit lame.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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That huge war chest would be especially remarkable amassed by a lame-duck president.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Policymakers globally are increasingly worried that the unequal adoption of AI risks widening income and development gaps between rich and poor countries.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In November, Jesse Jackon was hospitalized again after suffering a fall while protesting poor campus living conditions with students at Howard University.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Failing to check abatement expiration dates creates nasty surprises when incentives end.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
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The club’s record £125million signing suffered a nasty leg break away to Spurs in December.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For the latter, a 2023 meta-analysis found that even a slight bump in the average monthly temperature can lead to increases in suicide and suicidal behavior.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Washington has made a slight improvement on defense, especially as a rim protector, but there’s more room for Washington to regain his footing during the final quarter of the season.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paltry. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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