PALTRY Synonyms: 334 Similar and Opposite Words

paltry

adjective

ˈpȯl-trē

Definition of paltry

as in pitiful

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency just some paltry ruse to bilk the system

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention wanted me to sell him my old records for a paltry sum

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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 paltry The budget is slightly smaller than the current one, sets aside $14 billion in reserves and contains a paltry menu of tax cuts worth $146 million. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Of the nearly 80 works by Gonzales shown, only a paltry sold; most were ultimately repurchased by Guérard, and remained in the family. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 May 2026 The other candidates in the races have raised sums that are paltry in comparison to Bera and Hall. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Ultimately, their preferred candidate, a moderate, prevailed, but Jude said that he is disappointed with the new administration’s policies, which have cut already paltry funding for public education. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paltry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paltry

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The creditor will still have to fork over hard cash to pay for the costs of the auction (which is usually nominal) as well as to compensate the debtor for any exemption value of that asset.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In the original lawsuit, Hanaway only sought $1 in nominal damages for the state, Cacioppo and his business, Industrial Salvage and Wrecking.

— Jack Harvel August 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of nominal

Adjective

Post-election powers Keisha Lance Bottoms has a message for Republicans who might be tempted to limit her powers in a lame-duck special session if the Democrat wins the race for governor in November.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
President John Adams, after losing his 1800 reëlection bid, used his lame-duck period to fill the judiciary with sympathizers.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.

— Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
Early pothole testing actually caused a slight structural bend in a rear swingarm.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Browse Nearby Words

paltriness

paltry

pampa

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“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paltry. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of paltry

adjective

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