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
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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
There's another baby pygmy hippo livestream coming your way — this time for Poppy!
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Baby pygmy hippos are shiny, tiny, round and sassy.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
First, Moo Deng, a bouncy baby pygmy hippo from eastern Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became pop culture's fascination with her exceptionally sassy attitude, adorable chubby face and many antics caught on camera.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Poppy the baby pygmy hippo finally has her own livestream.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
There's another baby pygmy hippo livestream coming your way — this time for Poppy!
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Baby pygmy hippos are shiny, tiny, round and sassy.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
First, Moo Deng, a bouncy baby pygmy hippo from eastern Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became pop culture's fascination with her exceptionally sassy attitude, adorable chubby face and many antics caught on camera.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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But what’s the ideal role for the speedy and diminutive Achane, an accomplished cutback runner and a can’t-be-ignored threat as a slot receiver?—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2025
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Their double act had begun at secondary school, in North London, where Mulcahy protected the diminutive Duffy from bullies.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 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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Going forward, the software upgrades will be named after the year, rather than taking the number after that of the previous release.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
The numbers were leaked to the paper by former Kennedy Center employees and confirmed by a current staff member, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Yes, Georgia and Paul split this season as the blowback from the trial — and Paul's support of Proposition 38, disastrous for small businesses — imperiled his mayoral career.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
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Farmers watered their crops less, and saw smaller harvests as a result.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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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
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Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
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There are solid green and variegated cultivars that are drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and seldom bothered by insect pests.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 June 2025
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These tail feathers trail elegantly behind as the bird weaves through the forest in pursuit of flying insects.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The real Reubens, who died of cancer at 70 in 2023, bore little resemblance to either of these caricatures.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 May 2025
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This is incredibly damaging to career prospects and, given how little knowledge exists in mainstream medical and occupational health circles, can feel confusing and frightening for those who don’t know where to turn for advice.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
30 May 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 14 Jun. 2025.
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