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
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
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
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
Then, Haggis the baby pygmy hippo arrived in Scotland.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Ocean secrets Fingernail-size pygmy seahorses are some of the smallest vertebrates on the planet, but British marine biologist Richard Smith makes their colorful world seem larger than life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The big picture: The unnamed baby pygmy hippo was born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in December, and people are so obsessed with her that a poll to name her got 52,794 votes.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is also a favorite for sunny patios.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
Then, Haggis the baby pygmy hippo arrived in Scotland.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Ocean secrets Fingernail-size pygmy seahorses are some of the smallest vertebrates on the planet, but British marine biologist Richard Smith makes their colorful world seem larger than life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The big picture: The unnamed baby pygmy hippo was born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in December, and people are so obsessed with her that a poll to name her got 52,794 votes.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
The diminutive Argentine ghosted between defenders, leapt high behind 6ft 2in center back Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a perfect header, looping it past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into the far corner of the net.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
There was the diminutive Puck, whose tiny body could hurdle through foes like a bowling ball, and Sasquatch, the scientist Walter Langkowski who transformed into a Hulk-like mythical Great Beast of the North with but a thought.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
10 July 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
-
Below are the leading nominees by platform for the 2025 Emmys, and the number of programs that received nods.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
-
When Florida released its annual A-to-F school report card last week, many schools celebrated, as the number of A schools jumped.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
While the headline-grabbing CEOs are interesting, hearing the stories of smaller companies is absolutely fascinating.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
This is an interactive robot toy and pet camera on wheels with a 2K HD camera, two-way audio, and a laser toy.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
-
But soft drink bottles can be turned into fiberfill for coats and sleeping bags; milk jugs can be made into toys; and polystyrene food containers can be recycled into cafeteria food trays.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Turkeys foraging in agricultural areas in the fall and spring eat mostly waste grains, wild plants, insects, and young grasses.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
-
Your images also need protection from insects and rodents.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
If Brookshire bounces back the next year, Schroth predicts there will be little reaction from neighbors.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
From returning carts to sharing smiles in the checkout line, shoppers often engage in little acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share