paltrier; paltriest
2
: mean, despicable
a paltry trick
3
: trivial
a paltry excuse
they in their greatness don't have to bother with such paltry restrictions—
Vanessa Feltz
Vanessa Feltz
paltriness
noun
Did you know?
Before "paltry" was an adjective, it was a noun meaning "trash." That now obsolete noun in turn came from "palt" or "pelt," dialect terms meaning "a piece of coarse cloth," or broadly, "trash." The adjective "paltry" first meant "trashy," but currently has a number of senses, all generally meaning "no good." A "paltry house" might be run-down and unfit for occupancy; a "paltry trick" is a trick that is low-down and dirty; a "paltry excuse" is a trivial one; and a "paltry sum" is small and insufficient.
Synonyms
Examples of paltry in a Sentence
a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired
the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa
Recent Examples on the Web
Like in previous years, the live show was dominated by domestic issues, with journalists and ordinary citizens asking about soaring consumer prices and mortgages, paltry pensions and a shortage of doctors.
—Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The past year’s paltry outcome will surely cast a shadow over relations between developed and undeveloped countries, the most imperiled of which view the weak finance deal as a betrayal of trust.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
Ariola also called to open more state- and city-run facilities, claiming that while billions are spent on infrastructure and the migrant crisis, a paltry amount is spent on those suffering from mental illnesses.
—Forbestv, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
But because of the country’s largely agrarian economy and paltry racing infrastructure, even the best Eritrean riders rarely reach the big European leagues.
—James Jung, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2024
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Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The past year’s paltry outcome will surely cast a shadow over relations between developed and undeveloped countries, the most imperiled of which view the weak finance deal as a betrayal of trust.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
Ariola also called to open more state- and city-run facilities, claiming that while billions are spent on infrastructure and the migrant crisis, a paltry amount is spent on those suffering from mental illnesses.
—Forbestv, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
But because of the country’s largely agrarian economy and paltry racing infrastructure, even the best Eritrean riders rarely reach the big European leagues.
—James Jung, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paltry
Dictionary Entries Near paltry
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paltry. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paltry
adjective
pal·try
ˈpȯl-trē 
paltrier; paltriest
1
: petty sense 3, mean
a paltry trick
2
: trivial sense 2, worthless
a paltry sum
paltriness
noun
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