puny

adjective

pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē How to pronounce puny (audio)
punier; puniest
Synonyms of puny
: slight or inferior in power, size, or importance : weak
punily
ˈpyü-nə-lē How to pronounce puny (audio)
adverb
puniness
ˈpyü-nē-nəs How to pronounce puny (audio)
noun

Synonyms of puny

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Examples of puny in a Sentence

I wouldn't mess with him—he makes bodybuilders look puny in comparison. We laughed at their puny attempt to trick us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ship is massive compared to other sailboats, but puny when stacked up against a cargo ship. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2026 Familiarity has reduced the plane into a puny can. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026 In an earlier era, this panorama might have communicated the puny anonymity of corporate life. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The main benefit of sitting in first class is that you might still be served free cocktails, while a coach passenger is left with a puny bag of carbs, one cup of soda, and complimentary (for now) trash collection. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for puny

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French puisné younger, weakly, literally, born afterward, from puis afterward + né born

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puny was circa 1577

Rhymes for puny

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Browse Nearby Words

Punuk
puny
punya
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Cite this Entry

“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puny. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

puny

adjective
pu·​ny ˈpyü-nē How to pronounce puny (audio)
punier; puniest
: slight or lesser in power, size, or importance : weak
puniness noun
Etymology

from early French puisné "younger," literally, "born afterward," from puis "afterward" and né "born"

More from Merriam-Webster on puny

Nglish: Translation of puny for Spanish Speakers

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