as in small beer
something of little importance
our lives don't amount to a picayune in the great scheme of things
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picayunes
Noun
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In a world of deepfakes, ersatz eye contact is small beer.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026 -
Of course, a pipeline is small beer compared to the world’s largest island, Greenland, laden with energy resources and rare earths.—
Llewellyn King,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The same report found that these fires are worsening air quality in many part of the country due to wildfire smoke, which is a mixture of gases, water vapor, air pollutants and fine particulate matter.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Jay Mitchell’s deputy, Jennifer Carbajal, and a woman named Jennifer Sanchez, identified in local news reports as her ex-wife, also received $267,000 for smoke and ash cleaning and for flooding at a consulting business in Pendaries, New Mexico, the records show.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Using this approach, the researchers found that small changes in binder distribution can dramatically affect battery performance.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Rather than a sweeping removal of pavement, the report highlights small changes that could add up.—
Meg Tanaka,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All zeroes, including from Bananas head coach/manager Tyler Gillum.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, the permacrisis in the economy, which endured despite Caracas’ introduction of a national crypto currency, the Petro, to bypass US sanctions, or the central bank’s removal of five zeros from the national currency, the Bolivar, to subdue hyperinflation.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Enjoy them as-is, in fruit trifles or parfaits, as part of a fruit salsa or salad, or blended into smoothies.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
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Sky-high trifles, rich and creamy puddings, homemade candy– the holidays are a great time for decadent desserts.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Another Network reporter pointed out the songs were not performed in their entirety.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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The report found that the ratio of male to female producers across 400 popular songs was 47-to-1.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Picayunes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picayunes. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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