measlier; measliest
1
: infected with measles
2
a
: containing larval tapeworms
b
: infested with trichinae
3
: contemptibly small
Synonyms
Examples of measly in a Sentence
She complained about being given such a measly raise.
All I want is a few measly minutes of your time.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Jonathan that Nancy brought to the page no longer exists; neither does her version of Catherine — a femme fatale conjured from a measly roll of boudoir photos.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
That's down from last year's record-setting $12.2 billion, but way up from the measly $7-$9 billion Americans spent between 2014-2020.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
Rather than hanging out with John Fisher, maybe Bob Nutting should spend some time in Kansas City with John Sherman or in Detroit with Christopher Ilitch, and learn how an investment in players, and a commitment to winning, can pay dividends well beyond a measly $200,000.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
These aren’t measly sales with no-name brands either.
—Megan McCarty, StyleCaster, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for measly 
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Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
That's down from last year's record-setting $12.2 billion, but way up from the measly $7-$9 billion Americans spent between 2014-2020.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
Rather than hanging out with John Fisher, maybe Bob Nutting should spend some time in Kansas City with John Sherman or in Detroit with Christopher Ilitch, and learn how an investment in players, and a commitment to winning, can pay dividends well beyond a measly $200,000.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
These aren’t measly sales with no-name brands either.
—Megan McCarty, StyleCaster, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for measly
Dictionary Entries Near measly
Cite this Entry
“Measly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measly. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
measly
adjective
mea·sly
ˈmēz-(ə-)lē 
measlier; measliest
: so small or unimportant as to deserve scorn
left a measly nickel tip
Medical Definition
measly
adjective
mea·sly
ˈmēz-(ə-)lē
measlier; measliest
1
: infected with measles
2
a
: containing larval tapeworms
b
: infected with trichinae
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