as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also pigmy
1
as in dwarf
a living thing 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 pygmy
Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Fewer than 2,500 mature pygmy hippos remain in the wild, according to the zoo.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
The zoo shared multiple images and a short video of the newborn pygmy hippo on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Poppy was the name chosen for a newborn pygmy hippo at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia after the zoo held an online contest to determine her name, with zoo officials saying Poppy won with 52.8% of the total votes.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy 
Noun
Unlike common hippos, pygmy hippos do not live in groups and are usually solitary or in pairs.
—Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Fewer than 2,500 mature pygmy hippos remain in the wild, according to the zoo.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
The zoo shared multiple images and a short video of the newborn pygmy hippo on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Poppy was the name chosen for a newborn pygmy hippo at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia after the zoo held an online contest to determine her name, with zoo officials saying Poppy won with 52.8% of the total votes.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
The diminutive 21-year-old is slick and smooth with the puck and a smart, talented playmaker below the dots.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
-
In ways large and small, the diminutive Hollywood veteran set the tone.—
Rob Marriott,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
-
The dwarf variety grows to be about 5 to 7 feet, ideal for a small garden or accent in a room with limited space.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
As constructed, that would make 12 full-time assistant coaches, which is a high number.—
Kennington Smith III,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
-
That was about three times the number from five years before.—
Michael Gordon,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
As of publishing, the Palisades and Eaton fires have burned for six days—with a handful of smaller fires, like the Kenneth Fire and Hurst Fire breaking out as well.—
Kristin Jenny,
Outside Online,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Reata at the Rodeo, a smaller but no less impressive version of the Southwestern steakhouse in downtown Fort Worth, will open at 11 a.m. Jan. 17 and will serve all day most days.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated.—
Janelle Davis,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2023
-
Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Use either a horticultural oil or systemic insecticide if these insects are noted, following label instructions.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
-
The leaves were structured to protect themselves from insects and drought and to store water reserves.—
Alana Chin,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The John McDonough creation, which has ignited a slew of copycats since the inaugural fan fest in 1986, is a marketing tool like no other, changing little over the years.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The ensuing reply-all showed little sympathy for the ninety-five-year-old school and its community.—
Jessica Winter,
The New Yorker,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Kind of a little twerp, now and again.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2022
Articles Related to pygmy
Thesaurus Entries Near pygmy
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share