as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also pigmy
1
as in dwarf
something (such as an animal) 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cipher
a person of no importance or influence
regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Saltwater crocs laze among the area’s wetlands, while pygmy elephants are often seen replenishing themselves riverside.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
The Bronx Zoo participates in the pygmy slow loris Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding program handled by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The zoo is home to more than 200 animals, including lemurs, llamas, kangaroos, and pygmy goats.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
This latest pygmy hippo addition to the Wildlife World Zoo makes a total of three of the endangered species there.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Saltwater crocs laze among the area’s wetlands, while pygmy elephants are often seen replenishing themselves riverside.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
The Bronx Zoo participates in the pygmy slow loris Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding program handled by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The zoo is home to more than 200 animals, including lemurs, llamas, kangaroos, and pygmy goats.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
The diminutive vehicle isn’t a weakling, either.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
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Yet the dark and moody diminutive space, designed with every detail carefully considered, feels airy and light, in no small part thanks to the thoughtful staff who bring life and a sense of place.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Consider selecting a dwarf variety and use a potting mix for acid-loving plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
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Melissa Higgins, the wholesale manager at Sprague’s Nursery & Gardens Center, notes that in warmer climates, any dwarf, container-friendly peach variety would generally thrive on patios.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
Noun
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As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
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The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Its gibbous disk appears small and featureless.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Hello Kitty and Friends toy for every Wacky Pack, no matter the meal.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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The creators of Conan the Barbarian (1982), with whom Mattel had a contract to create a Conan toy line before the toy company backed out, sued Mattel in 1984.—
Sanat Pai RaikarAll,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Unlike some of his more strapping forebears (think Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner, or Aaron Eckhart), Odenkirk specializes in nobodies and normals: people one would not expect to be killing machines.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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After all, why listen to a podcast with two nobodies co-hosting when a listener can get an hour from a familiar celebrity.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Rust spores overwinter in leaf debris and infect new foliage in spring with as little as two to four hours of moisture.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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But certain elements of the package, such as a proposal to expand mayoral authority, received little direct attention during Thursday’s public comment.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Pesticides can be used to kill insects, rodents and weeds.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The perennial herb attracts helpful insects and pollinators to its purple blooms, boosting pollination.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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