1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired
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2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa
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3
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
just some paltry ruse to bilk the system
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4
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
wanted me to sell him my old records for a paltry sum
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of paltry
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.
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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 
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paltry
Adjective
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Perhaps this weekend can be a get-right game against the pitiful New York Jets, but there’s not much to be excited about.Fox News Staff, Fox News, 13 Nov. 2024
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Mercifully, Newcastle came up against a Leicester side whose setup under Ruud van Nistelrooy was as naive as their defensive performance was pitiful.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The section says that Amazon believes in creating a diverse and inclusive company and that inequitable treatment of anyone is unacceptable.Annie Palmer, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
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One glaring weakness Poles probably spent too much time talking about Williams’ role in the unacceptable number of sacks.Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His vile ways are what made season 6, episode 9's incredible Battle of the Bastards resonate.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
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David Tennant is spectacular as always as the rather vile, vengeful Tony Baddingham, a ruthless TV executive with axes to grind.Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While some of the nominees fall far afield from the norms—Hegseth, Gabbard, and RFK Jr. are the marquee names in that cohort, for sure—the bulk will face only nominal opposition from Democrats.Philip Elliott, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025
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Of course, all the good deeds in the world can’t buy your way into heaven, but as a nominal Catholic, Biden may have been persuaded by the Pope to commute the sentences.Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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With sleep disorders affecting approximately 70 million Americans and poor sleep linked to serious health risks like heart disease, stroke and cognitive decline, the Tone Buds represent a significant advancement in personal sleep technology.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Everybody connected to the death of this poor guy is dead now.Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The net front is the nastiest place on an NHL rink.Chris Branch, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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The second season trailer, which dropped on Wednesday, sees the title character who is played by Amer, who co-created the series with Ramy Youssef, trying to get back into the U.S. from Mexico after becoming entangled with nasty coyotes at the end of the first season in 2022.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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California saw a slight decrease in unemployment from October to November 2024, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Confusingly, the Ryzen Z2 Go is a slight step down in performance.Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near paltry
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paltry. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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