as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Recent Examples of puny
There will be a puny amount spent on commercials and campaign literature relative to the amount of ads and mail produced that promote Kinloch's candidacy.
—
M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
The adoption of foils shoves the bulk of race craft from sea to sky, where aerial friction is puny compared to the friction of water.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No studio interference, no Joss Whedon adding his own sensibility: This 242-minute totem is the purest expression of the maximalist filmmaker’s mythic take on the gods who roam the land, utilizing their incredible powers to protect us puny humans.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Reps the Royals would have preferred to give him at Triple-A Omaha before his neon numbers at the plate and their puny offensive production converged to accelerate the call-up.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
The adoption of foils shoves the bulk of race craft from sea to sky, where aerial friction is puny compared to the friction of water.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No studio interference, no Joss Whedon adding his own sensibility: This 242-minute totem is the purest expression of the maximalist filmmaker’s mythic take on the gods who roam the land, utilizing their incredible powers to protect us puny humans.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Reps the Royals would have preferred to give him at Triple-A Omaha before his neon numbers at the plate and their puny offensive production converged to accelerate the call-up.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
The slightly smaller Packer Style Ham (17 pounds) sold for $18,500.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
30 Aug. 2025
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Another substantial difference was that my dad had 400,000-plus [NASA] people supporting him, while Ed had Tenzing [Norgay] and a small supporting cast of expedition Sherpas and climbers.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the diminutive blue Smurfs took over as Smurfs’ Enchanted Voyage in 1984.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Despite being sacked a league-high 48 times in 2019, the diminutive Murray still hit nearly 65 percent of his throws while maintaining his presence as a dual-threat player.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In an environment like that of Gaza today, where most people live in tents or shelters with very little clean water, and with much of the sewage system destroyed, illness is rife and people with weakened immunity are at even greater risk, all the aid agencies said.—
Dawoud Abu Alkas,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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When her husband pulled out the tall decorative sticks from the vase to investigate, the family discovered a hidden stash of makeup carefully collected by their little boy, who clearly had an interest in her cosmetics.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the tall-grass prairies that once spread out across pre-settlement Indiana, tiny ground squirrels scurried through the wildflowers, grasses and shrubs.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
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These were tiny towns where restaurants serve breakfast with eggs supplied by on-property chickens and eagles are visible on mosquito-laden trails that railroad cars once trudged.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.—
Hollyanna McCollom,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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