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
Yet Tesla’s now going in the wrong direction by booking puny and declining profits.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 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
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 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
-
This seems odd but ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of the arrangement.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But the geographical distance is small compared to the geopolitical canyon the Games hope to bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hummingbirds are attracted to a number of flowering plants, but many people choose to install hummingbird feeders to attract these diminutive, fast-flying birds.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
-
While the Heat over the years have succeeded with smaller guards, the majority of success stories with those of diminutive stature are those with stockier builds, such as Tim Hardaway, Goran Dragic, Kyle Lowry or even current bulldog Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The importance of motive At this point, there’s little to suggest the motive is political or ideological, Leising said.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The big-tech releases from last week did little to calm nerves stateside, while some of Europe's biggest names are preparing to report this week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2018, the company had a viral moment when Catherine’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore their jeans at a public event, setting off a frenzy that spiked demand and overwhelmed the tiny operation of around 20 employees at the time.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
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Her subsequent eviction from the Beguines leads to her accepting the Bishop’s offer of sanctuary—as an anchorite, destined to live out her days in a tiny stone outcropping.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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