as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also pigmy
1
as in dwarf
something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind
hummingbirds may be the pygmies of the avian world, but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cipher
a person of no importance or influence
regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
An intruder who broke into the enclosure of the beloved Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng has been arrested, officials say.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Like pygmy hippo Moo Deng or fluffy penguin Pesto, Punch is a baby animal who has captured social media’s attention (even DeuxMoi) thanks to his adorable looks and specific personality.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026
The baby pygmy hippo was born at the end of January at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park to mom Lollipop and dad Tootsie Roll, according to a statement from the west Valley attraction, located at Northern and Sarival avenues.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Fossils have also been found that indicate the islands were also once home to pygmy mammoths, which only reached 4 to 6 feet tall.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
An intruder who broke into the enclosure of the beloved Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng has been arrested, officials say.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Like pygmy hippo Moo Deng or fluffy penguin Pesto, Punch is a baby animal who has captured social media’s attention (even DeuxMoi) thanks to his adorable looks and specific personality.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026
The baby pygmy hippo was born at the end of January at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park to mom Lollipop and dad Tootsie Roll, according to a statement from the west Valley attraction, located at Northern and Sarival avenues.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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First off, he was surprised by the number of diminutive people looking to take a punch at him, the way Apollo Creed did his alter-ego Rocky Balboa — starting with Paddy Chayefsky, the playwright and Network screenwriter who was up against Stallone for Best Screenplay.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
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His comparatively diminutive size, combined with his explosiveness and strength, ultimately proved a unique asset rather than a liability.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Select dwarf or short varieties that thrive in the confines of a large container, at least 14 inches wide.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
-
Plant lavender in well-draining terracotta pots and consider dwarf varieties like ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ and ‘Munstead’ for smaller pots.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
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As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
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The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Eggs, sushi, and crypto The account paid attention to smaller stories, too.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
East is a boutique hotel, some condos, and a small residential neighborhood with a few local restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Known for their indestructible qualities, each toy features a knotted rope, squeaker and crinkle, and spiked toy ball inside.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
For pets, pack leashes and carriers, food and bowls, vaccination records, any medications and a familiar toy or blanket to reduce anxiety.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Unlike some of his more strapping forebears (think Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner, or Aaron Eckhart), Odenkirk specializes in nobodies and normals: people one would not expect to be killing machines.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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After all, why listen to a podcast with two nobodies co-hosting when a listener can get an hour from a familiar celebrity.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Rami feared the worst, but head coach Didier Deschamps reasoned that there was little to gain from laying down the law when the mood in the camp was so positive and elected to forgive him.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement are alarmed by the speed of the rollbacks, noting that protections won through generations of sacrifice have been weakened in little more than a decade.—
Kim Chandler,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Chrysanthemums contain natural compounds that repel a range of insects, which is part of why their extracts show up in commercial bug sprays.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
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Pollinators love its bright blue flowers, and planting borage can help increase the activity of beneficial insects near your zucchini plants, too.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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