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
Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The forests and swamps of West Africa – particularly Liberia – are the native stomping ground of pygmy hippos, but there are believed to be only 2,500 remaining in the wild today, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN).
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Moo Deng's name, translated to English, means Bouncy Pork—and Edinburgh Zoo followed the trend by naming their pygmy hippo after Scotland's national dish.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The 4-month-old pygmy hippo slowly meanders up to her fruit baskets.
—Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pygmy 
Noun
The birth of a pygmy hippo baby is a reason to celebrate considering the dwindling population.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The forests and swamps of West Africa – particularly Liberia – are the native stomping ground of pygmy hippos, but there are believed to be only 2,500 remaining in the wild today, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN).
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Moo Deng's name, translated to English, means Bouncy Pork—and Edinburgh Zoo followed the trend by naming their pygmy hippo after Scotland's national dish.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The 4-month-old pygmy hippo slowly meanders up to her fruit baskets.
—Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pygmy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pygmy
Adjective
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These are diminutive soft-bodied crustaceans that live in an oyster’s gills.Jennifer Hope Choi, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
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With orange eyes and greyish-green skin, the diminutive Hutlett is the spitting image of his gangster father, Jabba, only smaller.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 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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That number includes current Alabama players who have yet to make NFL decisions.Kennington Smith III, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
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For the first time, neighborhoods could not only measure and visualize their carbon emissions but also advocate for change using a language that no one could ignore: hard numbers.Marina Lopes, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Many were small, but if the thunderstorm coincided with Santa Ana winds, the gusts could blow embers into the canyons, spreading the conflagration rapidly.Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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Black bears are the smallest of the North American bears.Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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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They’re drawn to urban environments during cold months for the same reasons as rodents and insects: warmth, food, and shelter.Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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Wetlands also support wildlife such as aquatic animals, amphibians, reptiles and insects; a decline in biodiversity can cause large losses for the region’s thriving outdoor recreation, tourism, hunting and fishing industries.Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In fact, for the most part, there is precious little history among opponents in each of the four games.Tom Layberger, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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But there is little doubt about their offense, which rarely loses the ball and averages 43.3 points per game, second-best in the country.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
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 22 Dec. 2024.
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