as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average
a pygmy elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Moo Deng’s ascendance turned a spotlight on pygmy hippos in general.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Though most common hippos give birth in water, pygmy hippos also can give birth on land.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Blood sweat is a pink fluid that pygmy hippos ooze out to keep cool in humid climates and to protect their skin from sunburns.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy 
Noun
The zoo stated that pygmy hippos don't live in groups.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Moo Deng’s ascendance turned a spotlight on pygmy hippos in general.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Though most common hippos give birth in water, pygmy hippos also can give birth on land.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Blood sweat is a pink fluid that pygmy hippos ooze out to keep cool in humid climates and to protect their skin from sunburns.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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Despite its diminutive size, the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator is pretty capable.—
Séamus Bellamy,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Decent connectivity and communication round out this diminutive Chromebook's feature set, including two USB Type-C ports (used for charging), a headphone jack, and front and rear cameras.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PCMAG,
6 Feb. 2025
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 addition of the five fresh stadium dates brings the total number of nights at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to six, with third nights now booked in Chicago at Soldier Field, Paris at Stade de France and Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2025
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With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping an increasingly fascist Europe, and Palestinian calls for independence, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The pig’s mouth revealed its ordinary sharp, tusk-like canines saddled up beside smaller, slightly more human-looking teeth nubs.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
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Negative thinking focuses all our thoughts and energy inward which in turn creates a small and narrow focus.—
Sandy Thibault,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 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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The windows leak, the gutters need cleaning, insects are making their way inside and, to make matters worse, Rolf has a hard time keeping a carer.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
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In addition to butterflies, the mountain supports 195 species of birds, 13 reptile species, six amphibian species, small mammals, and rare insects such as the San Francisco Forktail Damselfly, according to San Bruno Mountain Watch.—
Ryan Macasero,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But after many months of little rain, L.A. is on track to take the usual amount.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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How did Mondrian convey the sense of a tree with so little?—
Mitchell Newberry,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 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 Feb. 2025.
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