as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puny
Most of the major relationship milestones and potholes happen offscreen between the seasonal vacays, leaving us to find entertainment and meaning in the puny aftershocks.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 May 2025
And that means something in a Hollywood that now caters to puny screens and punier visions, outsourcing the finer mechanics of action filmmaking to the visual-effects department.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Vampire Survivors weighs in at a puny 600 megabytes.
—Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
That puny loaf is for this baker’s secret pleasure.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 May 2025
And that means something in a Hollywood that now caters to puny screens and punier visions, outsourcing the finer mechanics of action filmmaking to the visual-effects department.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Vampire Survivors weighs in at a puny 600 megabytes.
—Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
That puny loaf is for this baker’s secret pleasure.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
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The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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When the team stumbles across a small Titanosaurus herd, the film privileges Henry’s reaction as the paleontologist witnesses an elegant mating ritual for the first time.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Pauline’s diminutive redesign has raised plenty of questions, although Nintendo rarely seems interested in providing any answers from DK lore.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
-
Shoutout to the diminutive Mooney, who gets full marks for his effort level and compete at his size.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Also, the little quirks that Carnival has aren't so cute to me anymore.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Each day, heat impacts will last well into the night thanks to very warm overnight low temperatures offering very little in the way of relief.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Both videos show the pop star on the beach in a tiny, triangle zebra print bikini and a wide-brimmed hat.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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Eventually the Times just acknowledged on the front page what could always be found deeper in the newspaper: that the virus’s lethality was almost totally confined to a tiny percentage of very old Americans; nursing homes the routine locale of deaths once again with the virus.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.—
Hollyanna McCollom,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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