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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Saltwater crocs laze among the area’s wetlands, while pygmy elephants are often seen replenishing themselves riverside.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
The Bronx Zoo participates in the pygmy slow loris Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding program handled by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The zoo is home to more than 200 animals, including lemurs, llamas, kangaroos, and pygmy goats.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
This latest pygmy hippo addition to the Wildlife World Zoo makes a total of three of the endangered species there.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Saltwater crocs laze among the area’s wetlands, while pygmy elephants are often seen replenishing themselves riverside.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
The Bronx Zoo participates in the pygmy slow loris Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding program handled by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The zoo is home to more than 200 animals, including lemurs, llamas, kangaroos, and pygmy goats.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
There’s depth there and the current roster basically consists of Drake London, diminutive old friend Olamide Zaccheaus and inconsistent field stretcher Jahan Dotson.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Earthy, moody colors cosset wellness-seekers in the treatment rooms, making way for organic cream hues in the diminutive swimming pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Big money, uneven returns Steyer’s spending dwarfs every other candidate.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The dwarf fig is worth considering.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Its gibbous disk appears small and featureless.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Will the Raiders have the conviction to keep their shiny new toy on the sidelines all year?—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Each member-family is responsible for serving one volunteer shift at the toy library each month, as part of their membership.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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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Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the correspondents’ dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Security has typically been focused on the ballroom — rather than the hotel at large — with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pesticides can be used to kill insects, rodents and weeds.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The perennial herb attracts helpful insects and pollinators to its purple blooms, boosting pollination.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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