as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Fossils have also been found that indicate the islands were also once home to pygmy mammoths, which only reached 4 to 6 feet tall.
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Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
In paintings, Pygmies fight hippos and crocodiles in the Nile; some are shown being eaten.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Just look at how much the internet embraced Moo Deng the baby pygmy hippo in Thailand, or Punch the monkey in a Japanese zoo.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
The strain involved in the cruise ship outbreak, the Andes strain, is not found in North America and is linked to the pygmy rice rat that’s native in parts of Argentina and Chile.
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Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Fossils have also been found that indicate the islands were also once home to pygmy mammoths, which only reached 4 to 6 feet tall.
—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
In paintings, Pygmies fight hippos and crocodiles in the Nile; some are shown being eaten.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Just look at how much the internet embraced Moo Deng the baby pygmy hippo in Thailand, or Punch the monkey in a Japanese zoo.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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Fossils unearthed by archaeologists in the Liang Bua cave on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003 led to the discovery of the diminutive hominin.
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What's neat about this model is that despite its diminutive size, it's got four buttons that cover its most essential functions, as well as a preview screen on the back.
Noun
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Beyond the fruit, the dwarf golden spice pear features clusters of white spring blooms and glossy leaves that turn a striking burgundy or bronze color in the fall.
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Many get very large, so be sure to buy a dwarf variety for foundation plantings.
Noun
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But in my view, our relationships to animals, whose lives are untouched by the existential woes and artifices of personhood, are the richest and most evident ciphers for our own often inscrutable psyches.
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Consider a dashboard that shows applications, including keys and libraries; network traffic protocols and ciphers; hardware, such as HSMs and TPMs; and third-party dependencies, including cryptographic or software bills of materials.
Adjective
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Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
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People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International.
Noun
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Play soft music to drown out fireworks blasts and give your pet something to do, like putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep them calm and happy.
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Other features include a keychain hole, a quick-access hook, and a magnetic fidget toy, which is less about utility and more about tactile focus, utilizing the remaining surface space on the tool.
Noun
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Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.
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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.
Adjective
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Selena Gomez took the little black dress to a new level ahead of longtime friend Taylor Swift’s wedding.
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That little green or yellow can in the grocery store that boasts pictures of pears, cherries, grapes, and other fruit on the label?
Noun
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Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.
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Other eco-amenities include all-natural insect repellent and sunscreen in refillable containers, plus a handy pouch with reusable straw and cutlery to bring along during day trips.
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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