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
a living thing 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
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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
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Moo Deng’s ascendance turned a spotlight on pygmy hippos in general.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Though most common hippos give birth in water, pygmy hippos also can give birth on land.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Blood sweat is a pink fluid that pygmy hippos ooze out to keep cool in humid climates and to protect their skin from sunburns.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy 
Noun
The zoo stated that pygmy hippos don't live in groups.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Moo Deng’s ascendance turned a spotlight on pygmy hippos in general.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Though most common hippos give birth in water, pygmy hippos also can give birth on land.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Blood sweat is a pink fluid that pygmy hippos ooze out to keep cool in humid climates and to protect their skin from sunburns.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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Tribute Series Roadster The Shelby Cobra is one of the most revered and storied automotive models in history, a diminutive titan that made an indelible mark in both motorsport and sports-car culture upon its debut.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Scale jumps from diminutive to oversized, often in a single room.—
Michael Boodro,
Architectural Digest,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
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The dwarf variety grows to be about 5 to 7 feet, ideal for a small garden or accent in a room with limited space.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Days later, another 911 caller in the same community reported seeing a large number of people coming ashore at a private marina, according to Coral Gables Police Chief Edward Hudak.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
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This, in turn, will result in the temporary layoff or permanent loss of a significant number of middle class jobs in communities throughout the country.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite potential large-scale raids in Chicago and New York City this week, smaller operations took place instead.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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Bad decisions — the kind that can be, if not reversed, at least remedied — are an essential part of adolescence: lapses that teach us about our desires, our impulses, our weaknesses, our essential character, and leave us with no greater damage than a throbbing hangover or a small, smudgy tattoo.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated.—
Janelle Davis,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2023
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Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Tracking insect migration is not as straightforward as tracking birds or mammals.—
Saugat Bolakhe,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Jan. 2025
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The downy also can peck at galls or protrusions on goldenrod plants where insect eggs are lurking.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Given how little Cohen material has been auctioned off, the sale will be also a barometer of how much Cohen’s legend has grown since his death in 2016.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2025
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Foreign assistance has been the target of ire from Republicans in Congress and Trump administration officials, but the funding accounts for very little of the overall US budget, at about 1% of federal budget obligations.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
30 Jan. 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
-
Kind of a little twerp, now and again.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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