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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pygmy
Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
At least one other baby pygmy hippo made a public appearance to fanfare this year — Toni, in Germany.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
The hype around the new pygmy follows a summer full of love for Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand in July.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
The zoo stated that pygmy hippos don't live in groups.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Noun
Then, another newborn pygmy hippo named Haggis skyrocketed to fame at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
At least one other baby pygmy hippo made a public appearance to fanfare this year — Toni, in Germany.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
The hype around the new pygmy follows a summer full of love for Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand in July.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
The zoo stated that pygmy hippos don't live in groups.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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The stark contrast of the diminutive Japanese guard going up against the host nation’s 7 feet 3 inches tall center Victor Wembanyama was one of the most memorable images of the Games.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
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Here are two fascinating, and diminutive, examples.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 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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Eating invasive species can help protect native wildlife by reducing the numbers and limiting the damage these species cause to ecosystems, FWS spokesperson Erin Huggins wrote in her list, which was published on the agency's website.—
Peter Burke,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
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The food: Bakehouse offers French baked goods, but became a viral sensation for its sourdough egg tarts — so much so the company had to limit the number of tarts each customer could buy.—
Abid Rahman,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In early December, Roberts returned to the place of his birth, traveling to the Japanese city of Naha on the small Pacific island of Okinawa to receive an official recognition from the municipality’s local government.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
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Crib sheets, which are typically 10 inches deep, may be an exception due to their smaller size.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
14 Mar. 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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Those stems will be hidden by this year's blooms and remain as a possible home for bees and other helpful insects, which will emerge as temperatures rise.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
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What has spending years with insects on her mind meant to Harper?—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One 2019 study from researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University and West Virginia University found little evidence that CDFI funding significantly boosts small business activity.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Nintendo officially confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 via a teaser trailer that reveals the hybrid console, a plan for a Nintendo Direct on April 2 to give more details, and very little else.—
Will Greenwald,
PCMAG,
19 Mar. 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
Articles Related to pygmy
Cite this Entry
“Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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