PUNY Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

puny

adjective

ˈpyü-nē

Definition of puny

as in small

of a size that is less than average a puny, wrinkled apple

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of puny The ship is massive compared to other sailboats, but puny when stacked up against a cargo ship. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2026 But the processes that govern gene regulation are proving so complex that some biologists wonder whether a full understanding of it — of how the genome really works — will ever be within the grasp of our puny minds. — Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 18 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 See All Example Sentences for puny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny

Adjective

Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The evening, co-hosted by Vanity Fair, marked a continuation in the film’s already lengthy journey, with a suitably ambitious exhibition pulling back the curtain on costumes, puppets, props and diminutive sets.

— Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
The Lucre mules are crafted in butter-soft kid suede in a dark midnight shade and have the most diminutive toe strap holding the shoe in place.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminutive

Adjective

Here's where the high diesel prices add up tough – what little hay there is, is a lot more expensive to harvest.

— Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

But SpaceX would just go from EPS that’s a minuscule negative to a tiny positive.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
This tiny wearable device could record thousands of individual neurons simultaneously as animals swim, play, explore, and interact naturally.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tiny

Browse Nearby Words

punts

puny

pup

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“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of puny

adjective

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