puny

adjective

pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē 

punier; puniest

: slight or inferior in power, size, or importance : weak

punily

ˈpyü-nə-lē 

adverb

puniness

ˈpyü-nē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bantam
• diminutive
• dinky
• dwarfish
• fine
• half-pint
• Lilliputian
• little
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• pocket
• pocket-size
• pocket-sized
• pygmy
• shrimpy
• slight
• small
• smallish
• subnormal
• toylike
• undersized
• undersize

Examples of puny in a Sentence

I wouldn't mess with him—he makes bodybuilders look puny in comparison.

We laughed at their puny attempt to trick us.

Recent Examples on the Web

That opportunity presents itself in puny Dmitri, whose kidnapping proves a perfect lure. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024

Its victories and complications remain modest developments, puny by typical TV standards and monumental on the scale of everyday life (a divorce, a storm, a tough conversation, a death). —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Sunny is as neurotic and dysfunctional as any puny human. —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 31 July 2024

Now in his 17th season, Chavez has a 1.51 ERA in 27 appearances and has limited hitters to a puny .054 average (2-for-37) with runners in scoring position, the best in the majors among pitchers who’ve faced at least 30 batters in RISP situations. —David O'Brien, The Athletic, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French puisné younger, weakly, literally, born afterward, from puis afterward + né born

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

puny

adjective

pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē 

punier; puniest

: slight or lesser in power, size, or importance : weak

puniness noun

Etymology

from early French puisné "younger," literally, "born afterward," from puis "afterward" and né "born"