as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
The trailer starts out with Mario and Luigi taunting the super-small Bowser, who ate a Mini Mushroom at the end of the first movie and became the plumber brothers’ puny prisoner.
—
Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
The traditional interpretation of Pegasus is a horse flying upside down with puny little wings.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
That’s in part, because the odds appear to be long for oxygenic photosynthesis arising on a planet circling a puny red dwarf.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Due in part to those stamina demands, these original electric, open-wheel racers brought a puny 177 kilowatts (240 horsepower), less than many family sedans, and maxed out around 225 kilometers per hour.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for puny
Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
The traditional interpretation of Pegasus is a horse flying upside down with puny little wings.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
That’s in part, because the odds appear to be long for oxygenic photosynthesis arising on a planet circling a puny red dwarf.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Due in part to those stamina demands, these original electric, open-wheel racers brought a puny 177 kilowatts (240 horsepower), less than many family sedans, and maxed out around 225 kilometers per hour.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket and additional warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2026
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In fact, sometimes smaller heaters can match or outperform larger units, depending on their design.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Now the towering ceiling of their new Hollywood soundstage was making even the 36-inch set piece feel diminutive.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
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Andrews left the more creative, diminutive Mikkel Damsgaard on the bench.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In contrast to the surge in opioid fatality numbers of the past decade, deaths attributable to cocaine have shown little increase.—
Charles LeBaron,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Houston’s defensive prowess was on display on each snap as Rodgers was left with little to no time to make a decision.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The tiny congregation isn’t sure when, or even if, a new church will be built, but an unconventional plan is afoot to raise the bell tower again, this time as a beacon for the valley.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
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In one photo, the pop star posed in the tiniest green butterfly wing print bikini by Rat & Boa, which came with a matching cover-up.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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