as in small
lacking importance
some small-fry official in the state government with a big-time ego
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small-fry
Ridley Scott directs Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in the first episode of a tale in which two small-fry thieves rob a drug den and become the target of a relentless kingpin.
—
Shauna Lyon, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
Cassatt achieved hers by changing mediums; by experimenting with colors; and by being perversely drawn to small-fry subject matter, then mining it from all angles.
—Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 27 June 2024
For small-fry investors and big money managers alike, the psychological toll of falling behind creates pressure, particularly for those sticking with the playbook.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 10 June 2024
Brad Heppner had the grand idea of bringing investment opportunities enjoyed by Wall Street institutions to small-fry investors.
—Alexander Gladstone, WSJ, 28 July 2023
Shauna Lyon, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
Cassatt achieved hers by changing mediums; by experimenting with colors; and by being perversely drawn to small-fry subject matter, then mining it from all angles.
—Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 27 June 2024
For small-fry investors and big money managers alike, the psychological toll of falling behind creates pressure, particularly for those sticking with the playbook.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 10 June 2024
Brad Heppner had the grand idea of bringing investment opportunities enjoyed by Wall Street institutions to small-fry investors.
—Alexander Gladstone, WSJ, 28 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-fry
Adjective
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Although set in the small city, the movie was reportedly filmed in several locations in Louisiana.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Consider connecting with a public library, small book store or educational sectors willing to donate titles that support healing and wellness to add to the community library.—
Sahmie S. Wytewa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Three have been discharged, including two who sustained minor injuries while responding to the scene.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
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The toddlers had suffered puncture wounds and lacerations to their arms and legs, while an 18-year-old woman also had a minor injury to her arm, the release stated.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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His use of a century’s old wartime law to deport undocumented migrants with little or no due process to a notorious prison in El Salvador under scrutiny after the administration deported at least one migrant there by mistake.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
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Tesla is all over the news these days but little of it is positive after the company posted its worst results in four years in the first quarter.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small-fry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-fry. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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