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
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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
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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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The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.
-
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.
Noun
-
Their technicians have the training and tools to get the toy out without causing major damage to your pool.
-
Guinness was then kept out of his habitat so staff could monitor him and prepare for another attempt to remove the toy.
Cite this Entry
“Runt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runt. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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