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
something (such as an animal) 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 cipher
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
An intruder who broke into the enclosure of the beloved Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng has been arrested, officials say.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Like pygmy hippo Moo Deng or fluffy penguin Pesto, Punch is a baby animal who has captured social media’s attention (even DeuxMoi) thanks to his adorable looks and specific personality.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026
The baby pygmy hippo was born at the end of January at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park to mom Lollipop and dad Tootsie Roll, according to a statement from the west Valley attraction, located at Northern and Sarival avenues.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Fossils have also been found that indicate the islands were also once home to pygmy mammoths, which only reached 4 to 6 feet tall.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
An intruder who broke into the enclosure of the beloved Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng has been arrested, officials say.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Like pygmy hippo Moo Deng or fluffy penguin Pesto, Punch is a baby animal who has captured social media’s attention (even DeuxMoi) thanks to his adorable looks and specific personality.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026
The baby pygmy hippo was born at the end of January at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park to mom Lollipop and dad Tootsie Roll, according to a statement from the west Valley attraction, located at Northern and Sarival avenues.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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Winifried — whose preferred diminutive, also the name of the demon inside her, is Fred, not Winnie — isn’t the one being spooked here.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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That is what these playoffs have provided for Hutson, allowing more eyeballs to take in the well-roundedness of his game despite his diminutive size and his flashy offensive skills that can often divert the attention of those eyeballs elsewhere.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
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Beneath extraordinarily dry skies, travelers can watch the Milky Way stretch overhead while the Magellanic Clouds — two dwarf galaxies visible only from the southern hemisphere — slowly rotate around the south celestial pole.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Many native and non-native shrubs that bloom in spring also are good nectar sources, such as dwarf fothergilla, chokeberry, winterberry holly, Virginia sweetspire, Carolina allspice, beautyberry and viburnums.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Consider a dashboard that shows applications, including keys and libraries; network traffic protocols and ciphers; hardware, such as HSMs and TPMs; and third-party dependencies, including cryptographic or software bills of materials.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The National Federation of Independent Business has warned that small businesses and consumers who rely on energy, rather than oil giants, will end up holding the bag.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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But as funding from cap-and-invest and the climate bond dwindle, the state must increasingly turn to Cal Fire, which devotes only a small portion of its budget to mitigation work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to the limited release, this toy is priced at a suitably massive 99,000 yen (or around $623 at the current exchange rate).—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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This iconic dog toy is a fan-favorite.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Noun
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Unlike some of his more strapping forebears (think Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner, or Aaron Eckhart), Odenkirk specializes in nobodies and normals: people one would not expect to be killing machines.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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After all, why listen to a podcast with two nobodies co-hosting when a listener can get an hour from a familiar celebrity.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Below, shop the best little black dresses inspired by Michele’s posh, minimalist look for under $60 at Amazon, including knee-length, midi, and maxi options.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
More than 100 little, laughing faces were yelling thank you.—
Brian Lamar,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Check the undersides of leaves for insects.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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The jelly dishes are removable, and the feeder includes an ant moat as well as bee guards to keep insects away.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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