as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also pigmy
1
as in dwarf
a living thing much smaller than others of its kind
hummingbirds may be the pygmies of the avian world, but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in number
a person of no importance or influence
regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pygmy
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
However, the researchers also note the prevalence of the two species that together accounted for more than 50% of the bites – pygmy rattlesnakes and cottonmouths.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Other findings include a pygmy pipehorse, barnacle and sea star.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
Our palm panoply extends to the ritzy Canary Island date palm, the pygmy date and windmill palms, and a mini-monarchy of queen and king palms, which look a little haphazardly asymmetrical.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Common hippos usually give birth underwater, but pygmy hippos can be born on land or in water.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
However, the researchers also note the prevalence of the two species that together accounted for more than 50% of the bites – pygmy rattlesnakes and cottonmouths.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Other findings include a pygmy pipehorse, barnacle and sea star.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
Our palm panoply extends to the ritzy Canary Island date palm, the pygmy date and windmill palms, and a mini-monarchy of queen and king palms, which look a little haphazardly asymmetrical.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
While cultivated throughout Germany and in limited quantities throughout continental Europe, the diminutive white grape, often compared to grüner veltliner or an unoaked chardonnay, rarely gets much attention.—
Anna Lee Iijima,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
-
That led to a song-and-dance number in which Brunson honored other diminutive celebrities, like the gymnast Simone Biles and the rapper Kendrick Lamar, as well as the pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who joined her in a cameo appearance.—
Dave Itzkoff,
New York Times,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
Tell me a little bit about the technical side of filming a dwarf and an elf together.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
13 Oct. 2022
-
Other new characters include Disa, the first female dwarf ever shown in the Lord of the Rings series.—
Ethan Millman,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2022
Noun
-
The incident put Michigan in the spotlight on the issue, so after voting was completed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, sought to put hard numbers to all the accusations and theories flying around.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
17 May 2025
-
That number represents subsidies for about 600 units.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Court of International Trade previously rejected the small businesses' request to temporarily pause the tariffs while their lawsuit went forward, but then quickly scheduled Tuesday’s court hearing to decide whether to rule against the tariffs or impose a longer-term pause.—
Dietrich Knauth,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Instead, Atkinson took up golf for the first time and renewed his connection to scientific research, not the least of which was how a small white ball repeatedly avoids a hole in the ground.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated.—
Janelle Davis,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2023
-
Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Experts Say These Will Be the Worst Pests in Your Region This Year How to Spot Asian Needle Ants The Asian needle ant is a venomous insect, and it's made a home in the U.S. since as far back as 1932.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
-
Something about the hiding place caught the attention of nearby scientists searching for insects.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
On the comparable activities, there was little in the way of either selling horses or otherwise disposing of them.—
Peter J Reilly,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
And while most Americans have heard about the stock market fluctuations, 20 percent have heard little about them or nothing at all.—
Ruth Igielnik,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Most of the movie is a vaguely comical swipe at Napoleon in domestic life—an awkward lover, a jealous husband, an inveterate complainer, and in sum an annoying twerp.—
Kyle Smith,
WSJ,
21 Nov. 2023
-
Kind of a little twerp, now and again.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share