as in small
of a size that is less than average
a puny, wrinkled apple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
In an earlier era, this panorama might have communicated the puny anonymity of corporate life.
—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
The turbine maxed out at 25 kilowatts—puny compared to modern machines that generate up to 26 megawatts, but more than most energy experts expected from wind technology in November 1976.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
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
Hurricane Andrew — the lethal 1992 storm that almost always gets invoked as a cautionary tale — struck during a relatively quiet year and though fierce, was puny by comparison.
—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
The turbine maxed out at 25 kilowatts—puny compared to modern machines that generate up to 26 megawatts, but more than most energy experts expected from wind technology in November 1976.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
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
Hurricane Andrew — the lethal 1992 storm that almost always gets invoked as a cautionary tale — struck during a relatively quiet year and though fierce, was puny by comparison.
—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for puny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puny
Adjective
-
Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
-
People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International.
Adjective
-
Fossils unearthed by archaeologists in the Liang Bua cave on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003 led to the discovery of the diminutive hominin.
-
What's neat about this model is that despite its diminutive size, it's got four buttons that cover its most essential functions, as well as a preview screen on the back.
Adjective
-
Selena Gomez took the little black dress to a new level ahead of longtime friend Taylor Swift’s wedding.
-
That little green or yellow can in the grocery store that boasts pictures of pears, cherries, grapes, and other fruit on the label?
Adjective
-
Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
-
What Uranus will look like Uranus should resemble a tiny greenish star and will appear only about 1/63 as bright as Mars.
Cite this Entry
“Puny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puny. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
