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
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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
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Tribute Series Roadster The Shelby Cobra is one of the most revered and storied automotive models in history, a diminutive titan that made an indelible mark in both motorsport and sports-car culture upon its debut.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Scale jumps from diminutive to oversized, often in a single room.—
Michael Boodro,
Architectural Digest,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
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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
-
Days later, another 911 caller in the same community reported seeing a large number of people coming ashore at a private marina, according to Coral Gables Police Chief Edward Hudak.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
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This, in turn, will result in the temporary layoff or permanent loss of a significant number of middle class jobs in communities throughout the country.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite potential large-scale raids in Chicago and New York City this week, smaller operations took place instead.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Bad decisions — the kind that can be, if not reversed, at least remedied — are an essential part of adolescence: lapses that teach us about our desires, our impulses, our weaknesses, our essential character, and leave us with no greater damage than a throbbing hangover or a small, smudgy tattoo.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 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
-
Tracking insect migration is not as straightforward as tracking birds or mammals.—
Saugat Bolakhe,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Jan. 2025
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The downy also can peck at galls or protrusions on goldenrod plants where insect eggs are lurking.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Given how little Cohen material has been auctioned off, the sale will be also a barometer of how much Cohen’s legend has grown since his death in 2016.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2025
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Foreign assistance has been the target of ire from Republicans in Congress and Trump administration officials, but the funding accounts for very little of the overall US budget, at about 1% of federal budget obligations.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
30 Jan. 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
-
Kind of a little twerp, now and again.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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