as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
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
But the rent roll was puny, and few tenants could have paid more even if rent stabilization had allowed for it.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
But the rent roll was puny, and few tenants could have paid more even if rent stabilization had allowed for it.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
It was found [that] the actual tumor was pretty small.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Then, the family says two others broke through a small window, manhandled their dogs and stole priceless mementos handed down through their family over generations, along with the cash.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And as far as attention to detail, each follow in the footsteps of Amalgam’s miniature Formula 1 replicas and its previous partnerships with Maranello, which include a diminutive 12Cilindri.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The device is powered by a rather diminutive 4,050-mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 33-W charging.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little or no impact, with the two sides blaming each other for violations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether still or striding, tiny or outsized, Giacometti’s elongated, upright figures persist as some of the most recognizable works of the post-World War Two era.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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More than a toy, this plush companion acts as a surrogate mom after the tiny primate was rejected by his own mother, Kamaria, a first-time parent unable to form a maternal bond.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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