as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pygmy
Angel Saunders, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
This weekend’s public debut of twin six-month-old cubs at Ocean Park will serve as a litmus test, with hopes the bears will spark a viral moment similar to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo in Thailand who took social media by storm last year and saw a flood of tourists visit her zoo.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 14 Feb. 2025
Common hippos usually give birth underwater, while pygmy hippo calves can be born on land or in water.
—Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Tupi's undeniable cuteness and quirky personality have turned the capybara into a viral sensation, helping boost visibility for the San Antonio Zoo during a time when zoos are eager to replicate the viral success of animals like Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo.
—Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Together, Hook and Nivola learned that pygmy hippos like Moo Deng are not carnivores.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
This weekend’s public debut of twin six-month-old cubs at Ocean Park will serve as a litmus test, with hopes the bears will spark a viral moment similar to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo in Thailand who took social media by storm last year and saw a flood of tourists visit her zoo.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 14 Feb. 2025
Common hippos usually give birth underwater, while pygmy hippo calves can be born on land or in water.
—Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Tupi's undeniable cuteness and quirky personality have turned the capybara into a viral sensation, helping boost visibility for the San Antonio Zoo during a time when zoos are eager to replicate the viral success of animals like Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo.
—Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
-
While diminutive, his many admirers would call him an intellectual giant.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Patty Maloney, the diminutive actress known for her work with actor Billy Barty and for her role on the cult classic Star Wars Holiday Special, died March 31, her manager confirmed to Entertainment Weekly.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
-
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
-
Those numbers rose to 82% among Republicans and 95% among Democrats if the ruling came from the Supreme Court.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Osgood is one of only a small number of inmates on U.S. death rows to abandon their legal challenges.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Even the smallest black dot of mold can affect your health by causing respiratory illnesses or triggering certain allergic reactions from breathing it in constantly.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
21 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
The line, according to the brand, is inspired by nature and the packaging takes on wood textures, plants, insects and bold natural hues.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Cucumbers are relatively easy to grow but can be plagued by a variety of insect and disease pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There were little tiny water bubbles around each of them.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Gone are most of the toggle switches (and the little safety protrusions that accompanied them) on the dashboard, with the exception of one for changing between drive, reverse, and neutral, plus another to switch between drive modes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share