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 number
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
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
And with many fewer moths, the pygmy possum's future is even bleaker.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
Currently, there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos in the wild, according to San Diego Zoo.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Complicating their life on a pygmy goat sanctuary in Vermont is a crew of old friends who live nearby, several of them in the same house.
—Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Listen to this article A Ramona Wildlife Center pygmy hippo that was rescued more than two decades ago broke a world record this weekend by becoming the oldest living captive pygmy hippo in recorded history, San Diego Humane Society officials said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
And with many fewer moths, the pygmy possum's future is even bleaker.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
Currently, there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos in the wild, according to San Diego Zoo.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Complicating their life on a pygmy goat sanctuary in Vermont is a crew of old friends who live nearby, several of them in the same house.
—Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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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
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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
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Tell me a little bit about the technical side of filming a dwarf and an elf together.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
13 Oct. 2022
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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
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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
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Kim did not specify the number of employees who could be affected or the units that would see layoffs.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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This storage box offers enough space to hold gardening tools, pool toys, furniture covers, and outdoor throw pillows, and it’s made with water-resistant, durable material that can withstand a variety of weather conditions.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
10 July 2025
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In the campaign video, Lohan playfully shows some of the chaos that comes with parenting—think a mountain of toys, stress of packing, and outfits galore.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
10 July 2025
Noun
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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
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Your images also need protection from insects and rodents.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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This time, however, the mound visit had little effect.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
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But most of the middle part is missing, and there’s little to explain how the event unfolded from one stage to the next.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
5 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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 19 Jul. 2025.
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