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
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
Then, Haggis the baby pygmy hippo arrived in Scotland.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Ocean secrets Fingernail-size pygmy seahorses are some of the smallest vertebrates on the planet, but British marine biologist Richard Smith makes their colorful world seem larger than life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The big picture: The unnamed baby pygmy hippo was born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in December, and people are so obsessed with her that a poll to name her got 52,794 votes.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is also a favorite for sunny patios.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
Then, Haggis the baby pygmy hippo arrived in Scotland.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Ocean secrets Fingernail-size pygmy seahorses are some of the smallest vertebrates on the planet, but British marine biologist Richard Smith makes their colorful world seem larger than life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The big picture: The unnamed baby pygmy hippo was born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in December, and people are so obsessed with her that a poll to name her got 52,794 votes.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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Over the past century, however, pollution, invasive species and excessive water pumping have destabilized the ecosystem, pushing the diminutive delta smelt toward extinction.—
Moira Donovan,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 July 2025
-
Hawkins is the revelation here, a diminutive, hippy-dippy monster.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
When Florida released its annual A-to-F school report card last week, many schools celebrated, as the number of A schools jumped.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The Kitchen by Cooking with Que is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays as a small café. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: [email protected].—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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Bringing bold wallpaper into a small space can be a fun way to add a bit of a ‘wow’ factor, and that is precisely what Laws did in this 40-square-foot half-bath.—
Lennie Omalza,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The fire department showed up with two cribs, mattresses, baby clothes, diapers, wipes and toys for all of the twins' siblings — paid for by the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
22 July 2025
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This is often best for items like baby clothing and toys—especially since babies outgrow this stuff at lightning speed, and your parent friends will want to pass this stuff along and get it out of their homes.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
For starters, try planting dill around your brassicas, basil beneath your nightshades, or low-growing Corsican mint or Roman chamomile around any plants that need insect pollination.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 July 2025
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Pick the right bug spray The Austin American-Statesman tested 16 insect repellants.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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With their upper minor league depth worn thin, the Braves’ called on 19-year-old Didier Fuentes, who had little experience above A ball.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
The shoulder straps can even be tied into little bows and adjusted for a custom fit.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
15 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 30 Jul. 2025.
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