as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
And unlike most electrics that try their best to look the part but offer relatively puny power figures, the STRiX boasts impressive horsepower figures in addition to the high torque that comes as a byproduct of electric motors.
—
New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
By contrast, the G-Wiz is comparatively puny.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
Steve Rogers grows up in Brooklyn as a puny but resolute child.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Effectively a heavy qaudracycle, the original model offered a puny 17 horsepower (13 kW).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
By contrast, the G-Wiz is comparatively puny.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
Steve Rogers grows up in Brooklyn as a puny but resolute child.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Effectively a heavy qaudracycle, the original model offered a puny 17 horsepower (13 kW).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
August 23 – September 22 One small fix today could make everything run better.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
These mad scientists then trained a small flock of sheep to recognize four celebrities—Emma Watson, Barack Obama, Jake Gyllenhaal, and the BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce—from their pictures on the internet.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The diminutive vehicle isn’t a weakling, either.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
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Yet the dark and moody diminutive space, designed with every detail carefully considered, feels airy and light, in no small part thanks to the thoughtful staff who bring life and a sense of place.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rust spores overwinter in leaf debris and infect new foliage in spring with as little as two to four hours of moisture.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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But certain elements of the package, such as a proposal to expand mayoral authority, received little direct attention during Thursday’s public comment.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
One new study looked at how the coloring of microplastics – the tiny bits of plastics found everywhere from our rivers to our brains – may actually be helping increase temperatures.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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The lab didn't take DNA samples from each fish, which can be done by clipping off a tiny bit of one fin.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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