as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also pigmy
1
as in dwarf
a living thing 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 number
a person of no importance or influence
regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
There are several types of mice, but the most common include house, deer, African pygmy, and field.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2025
Videos and photos of the baby pygmy garnered millions of views on social media.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
The pygmies always come back to their feeding tree, though.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
The species — a type of toothed whale and close relative of the pygmy sperm whale — is believed to be a rare visitor to Australian waters.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
There are several types of mice, but the most common include house, deer, African pygmy, and field.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2025
Videos and photos of the baby pygmy garnered millions of views on social media.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
The pygmies always come back to their feeding tree, though.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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While diminutive, his many admirers would call him an intellectual giant.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
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Patty Maloney, the diminutive actress known for her work with actor Billy Barty and for her role on the cult classic Star Wars Holiday Special, died March 31, her manager confirmed to Entertainment Weekly.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
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The dwarf variety grows to be about 5 to 7 feet, ideal for a small garden or accent in a room with limited space.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Those numbers rose to 82% among Republicans and 95% among Democrats if the ruling came from the Supreme Court.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Osgood is one of only a small number of inmates on U.S. death rows to abandon their legal challenges.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Although set in the small city, the movie was reportedly filmed in several locations in Louisiana.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Consider connecting with a public library, small book store or educational sectors willing to donate titles that support healing and wellness to add to the community library.—
Sahmie S. Wytewa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated.—
Janelle Davis,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2023
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Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
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The first reports of periodical cicadas emerging from their long wait underground came over the weekend from Fayette County, Tennessee and Buncombe County, North Carolina, according to the citizen science site Cicada Safari, which allows Americans to track the insect's path across the nation.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Conspicuous noises from cicada swarms are a mating tactic, the wildlife federation writes, as the male insects gather in groups and create loud sounds to attract females.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Obstetricians say, at the end of the day, AFE is really just a product of bad luck, and there's little that can be done to prevent it.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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That the probe fizzled out came as little surprise.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Most of the movie is a vaguely comical swipe at Napoleon in domestic life—an awkward lover, a jealous husband, an inveterate complainer, and in sum an annoying twerp.—
Kyle Smith,
WSJ,
21 Nov. 2023
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Kind of a little twerp, now and again.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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