as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
offered her guest only one measly cookie
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Recent Examples of measly
On the other end, Chicago only has a 34% chance of snow while New Yorkers have a measly 13% chance of a white Christmas this year.
—
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
But things quickly fell apart and Wilson was released from his contract within two seasons, signing a measly deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
The conference rode shotgun while the SEC gobbled up 14 NCAA bids but made the most of its measly eight participants.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
After a woman named AP (Sriram) loses a tooth and is unexpectedly cast with a curse, psychics promise that it can be lifted by a measly $1,000 payment and animal sacrifice.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for measly
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
But things quickly fell apart and Wilson was released from his contract within two seasons, signing a measly deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
The conference rode shotgun while the SEC gobbled up 14 NCAA bids but made the most of its measly eight participants.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
After a woman named AP (Sriram) loses a tooth and is unexpectedly cast with a curse, psychics promise that it can be lifted by a measly $1,000 payment and animal sacrifice.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for measly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for measly
Adjective
-
Cage’s most famous composition—a piece where any performer exists in any space for four minutes and 33 seconds—is performed in nominal silence.—
Jeremy D. Larson,
Pitchfork,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders are nominal political outsiders, regular critics of the Democratic establishment and proud progressives who are beloved by leftwing base voters — qualities that have advantages in today’s political environment.—
David M. Drucker,
Boston Herald,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Dawn came on chilly with a slight overcast and a light breeze.—
Jeffrey A. Brunk,
Outdoor Life,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The rear camera's OIS yields mostly smooth video, but there's some slight bumpiness here and there.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
-
With packaging like a tiny liquid liner, the semi-sheer formula applies easily onto skin—for an extra natural look, gently tap on your faux freckle dots then blend out with your fingers or a small brush.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Also, the state mandates free and reduced fares of $150 million annually but provides a paltry reimbursement of $20 million.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
This is one of the few times Samsung isn’t running an enhanced trade-in price promotion for its Galaxy S25, with the Note 20 Ultra fetching a paltry $180 and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra being valued at $155.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Measly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/measly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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