as in small
of a size that is less than average a puny, wrinkled apple

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puny Per Nielsen, broadcast channels accounted for a puny 4.1 percent of all TV viewing among viewers aged 6-17, while cable (remember that?) wasn’t much better, with a 6.1 percent share. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 31 July 2025 There will be a puny amount spent on commercials and campaign literature relative to the amount of ads and mail produced that promote Kinloch's candidacy. M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 26 July 2025 Last season, the Chargers gave up a puny average of 17.7 points per game, best in the NFL. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 July 2025 Though puny when compared to global meat sales, the multibillion-dollar market for meat substitutes is growing briskly and has attracted interest from technologists, researchers, and venture capitalists. IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018 See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
  • Add the ginger during the last minute of cooking, then transfer the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Martin knocked on the hunter’s small tent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Baby-faced, diminutive, and drowned by the baggy shirts on his back, Mora is a child running rings around the pros.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • That the diminutive McDaniel didn’t look (or sound) the part of an NFL head coach hardly mattered two years ago, when his team was hanging 70 points on Denver.
    Barry Jackson Updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Inside, two picnic tables were stacked on top of each other, leaving little room to climb.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • During last week's episode, viewers saw Dylan dance with his little sister, Olivia, for Dedication Night on.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Earth, a tiny target in the vastness of space, would often be spared from being hit by these magnetic projectiles.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Sometimes changing the world starts with a tiny needle.
    Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • 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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Cite this Entry

“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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