as in dwarf
something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind
one kitten was definitely the runt, weighing only six ounces at birth
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 runt
The octopus appears to be the runt of the Megaleledonidae family, whose members are normally much larger and live in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
—
CBS News, 26 May 2026
Seek Out Small Specimens Don’t reject the runts.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
That runt is now the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s usually a runt in every litter.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025
Schuster-Koloamatangi, who’s a native New Zealander, plays Dek, the franchise’s first Yautja protagonist, and as the runt of his Predator clan, he’s been completely written off by his father.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Seen as the runt of his clan, Dek has something to prove.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
College football’s eternal doormat, the runt of the SEC’s original litter, had earned time in the national spotlight.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Imagine a second straight year of Bama righting the season by beating Georgia — and then immediately losing to the SEC's longtime runt.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
CBS News, 26 May 2026
Seek Out Small Specimens Don’t reject the runts.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
That runt is now the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s usually a runt in every litter.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025
Schuster-Koloamatangi, who’s a native New Zealander, plays Dek, the franchise’s first Yautja protagonist, and as the runt of his Predator clan, he’s been completely written off by his father.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Seen as the runt of his clan, Dek has something to prove.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
College football’s eternal doormat, the runt of the SEC’s original litter, had earned time in the national spotlight.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Imagine a second straight year of Bama righting the season by beating Georgia — and then immediately losing to the SEC's longtime runt.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runt
Noun
-
For instance, Eilish is an animal lover with a pet dwarf hamster named Tomato Bisque Soup.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
-
Writer Steve Phillips’ investments in the race dwarfs spending by any other single donor.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Another gender-neutral name that had a burst of popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jamie was a go-to for girls or a diminutive of James for boys.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the Family Fun Package, including a welcome basket, Nikki Paniki toy, stamp scavenger hunt, and family movie night, among others.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
That stickability probably owes as much to the franchise's unconventional toy-first origins as its unprecedented ability to flog merchandise.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runt. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
