as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo shows the 2-week-old pygmy hippo and its mother on Dec. 23, 2024.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
There are fewer than 2,500 pygmy hippos alive today compared with 12,000 in 1982.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Rascal Voyages specializes in curating these one-of-a-kind moments, from bespoke birdwatching itineraries to private culinary adventures and even helping guests track pygmy seahorses.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pygmy 
Noun
The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia is welcoming a newborn pygmy hippo just before the holidays, the zoo announced in a press release on Dec 24.
—Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
This photo provided by the Metro Richmond Zoo shows the 2-week-old pygmy hippo and its mother on Dec. 23, 2024.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
There are fewer than 2,500 pygmy hippos alive today compared with 12,000 in 1982.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Rascal Voyages specializes in curating these one-of-a-kind moments, from bespoke birdwatching itineraries to private culinary adventures and even helping guests track pygmy seahorses.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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The diminutive 21-year-old is slick and smooth with the puck and a smart, talented playmaker below the dots.Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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In ways large and small, the diminutive Hollywood veteran set the tone.Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
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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As constructed, that would make 12 full-time assistant coaches, which is a high number.Kennington Smith III, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
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That was about three times the number from five years before.Michael Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Reata at the Rodeo, a smaller but no less impressive version of the Southwestern steakhouse in downtown Fort Worth, will open at 11 a.m. Jan. 17 and will serve all day most days.Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
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Does this mean that community and small banks will struggle?Michael Abbott, Forbes, 13 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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Use either a horticultural oil or systemic insecticide if these insects are noted, following label instructions.Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
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Tours offer a chance to learn how district ecologists are improving the region’s watersheds by expanding the populations of mussels, crayfish, insects and fish.Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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During Trump’s first term, duties on a wide range of imports did little to raise prices broadly and in fact were kept in place when Joe Biden took over as president.Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025
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What To Know Trump pointed to tariffs as a potential reason for Trudeau's resignation in a post to Truth Social on Monday afternoon, but one expert told Newsweek that his resignation had little to do with tariffs.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 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
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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 21 Jan. 2025.
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