as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Egg’s plucky insolence belies his puny size, a comedic contrast with Claffey’s ex-rugby player physique, and perhaps his seemingly humble origins as well.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
But puny xenophobic humans won't ever see the light of Eywa?
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for puny
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
But puny xenophobic humans won't ever see the light of Eywa?
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
Published in the journal Matter, the underlying mechanisms behind the inferior photochemical of polymer acceptor and develops a method to enhance both efficiency and stability through small-molecule incorporation.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
-
February storms brought fresh snow to the Sierra Nevada, but California’s snowpack remains far smaller than average during a winter that has brought record warmth across much of the West.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Director Harry Lighton transposed the story from the 1970s to the present, casting a hulking Alexander Skarsgård as the gorgeous and emotionally remote biker Ray, and Melling as the shy, diminutive parking attendant who submits himself to Ray.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The diminutive playmaker was dominated and overwhelmed in midfield.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, very little separates them.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even his tiny coffin was draped with a union jack.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The four treatment rooms look onto a tiny garden, and there's a 24-hour Technogym with full free weights, plus private studios for yoga and Pilates.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
