as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puny
Brantley, if healthy, could be a favorite for the other job: Quarterbacks had a puny 16.6 passer rating when targeting Brantley: 14 receptions in 37 targets for 149 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns permitted.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
No man can give me any word but Wait ,
The puny light .
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, just single-handedly turned today’s sizeable selloff into something much more puny.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
But these would seem puny compared with some of the snake species that slithered on Earth millions of years ago.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
No man can give me any word but Wait ,
The puny light .
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, just single-handedly turned today’s sizeable selloff into something much more puny.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
But these would seem puny compared with some of the snake species that slithered on Earth millions of years ago.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
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With any luck, a little digestive distress will be just a small trade-off for getting past your illness and feeling like yourself again.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Nudie Jeans has a big idea for a new small retail concept.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 2024 edition of this diminutive all-arounder—capable of gaming, media playback, and light productivity—sees an improvement in processing power over previous iterations thanks to the A17 Pro chip.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
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The button bush is not a diminutive plant, reaching up to 12 feet tall by 4 feet wide at maturity.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Governed by a growth mindset devoted to the logic of disruption, moving fast and breaking things, a flourishing structure of feeling about AI and art history has sprung up on the grounds of very little AI-and-art-history to have feelings about.—
Sonja Drimmer,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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Instead Doom: The Dark Ages is flatly colored, with little contrast, and less visually interesting enemies that tote around cruel looking shields simply for the sake of the setting.—
Kazuma Hashimoto,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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Since this tiny home lacks a dedicated bedroom, the sofa doubles as a bed.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 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 13 Apr. 2025.
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