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 legume enjoys ancient roots, and for good reason—lentils are a source of protein, potassium, folate, and more.Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
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The former linebacker worked through some traffic on a celebratory sideline and, with Washington in his sights, launched himself at the diminutive safety.Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 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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The real money is in competitive-balance tax proceeds, and thanks to the spending of teams such as the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, the numbers keep getting larger.Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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The ticket matched four winning Powerball numbers and the Powerball in the drawing Saturday, Jan. 4, the California Lottery said.Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Trump's victory was in fact much smaller than his supporters have mythologized, and some of his promises — like that to pardon the people imprisoned on charges related to the events of Jan. 6, 2021 — are still very unpopular.G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
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Ruben Montes, 29, of Baldwin Park, was detained and arrested after firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a small brush fire in Irwindale, near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway at about 12:30 p.m. local time.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 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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The leaves were structured to protect themselves from insects and drought and to store water reserves.Alana Chin, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Many Republican lawmakers who represent rural areas are skeptical of those programs because there are few private schools in their districts, so their constituents have little to gain.Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
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The grand tourer had a lot to live up to but had little trouble doing so thanks to its sleek exterior and potent Colombo V-12.Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 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 17 Jan. 2025.
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