paltry 🔊
Meaning of paltry
Very small or meager; ridiculously or insultingly insignificant.
Key Difference
While 'paltry' emphasizes insignificance or triviality, its synonyms may vary in connotation, such as 'meager' focusing on scarcity or 'trifling' on unimportance.
Example of paltry
- The company offered a paltry sum as compensation for the damages, which left the customers furious.
- Despite working overtime, his paltry wage barely covered his basic expenses.
Synonyms
meager 🔊
Meaning of meager
Lacking in quantity or quality; inadequate.
Key Difference
'Meager' often refers to scarcity or insufficiency, while 'paltry' carries a stronger tone of disdain for the small amount.
Example of meager
- The refugees survived on a meager diet of bread and water.
- His meager savings were not enough to afford the medical treatment.
trifling 🔊
Meaning of trifling
Unimportant or trivial.
Key Difference
'Trifling' suggests something is so minor it’s not worth consideration, whereas 'paltry' implies insulting inadequacy.
Example of trifling
- She dismissed his apology as a trifling gesture after the betrayal.
- The CEO ignored the trifling complaints of the junior staff.
negligible 🔊
Meaning of negligible
So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.
Key Difference
'Negligible' is neutral, indicating something is too small to matter, while 'paltry' often conveys frustration or contempt.
Example of negligible
- The environmental impact of the project was deemed negligible by the experts.
- The difference in their scores was negligible, but it still decided the winner.
pitiful 🔊
Meaning of pitiful
Deserving or arousing pity, often due to inadequacy.
Key Difference
'Pitiful' evokes sympathy or scorn, while 'paltry' focuses more on the insulting smallness of something.
Example of pitiful
- The pitiful state of the orphanage moved many to donate.
- His pitiful attempt at negotiation only made the situation worse.
insignificant 🔊
Meaning of insignificant
Too small or unimportant to be of value.
Key Difference
'Insignificant' is a neutral term, whereas 'paltry' often carries a negative or dismissive tone.
Example of insignificant
- The error was insignificant and did not affect the overall results.
- Her contributions seemed insignificant until the final project was reviewed.
derisory 🔊
Meaning of derisory
Ridiculously small or inadequate.
Key Difference
'Derisory' implies mockery or scorn, similar to 'paltry,' but with a stronger sense of ridicule.
Example of derisory
- The derisory offer for the antique vase offended the seller.
- They were given a derisory amount of time to complete the complex task.
token 🔊
Meaning of token
Done as a symbolic gesture, often minimal or insincere.
Key Difference
'Token' suggests a symbolic or nominal effort, while 'paltry' emphasizes the inadequacy of the amount.
Example of token
- The company made a token donation to charity to improve its image.
- His token presence at the meeting did little to address the concerns.
measly 🔊
Meaning of measly
Contemptibly small or few.
Key Difference
'Measly' is informal and often expresses irritation, similar to 'paltry' but more colloquial.
Example of measly
- After all that hard work, he received a measly bonus.
- The measly portion of food left everyone hungry.
petty 🔊
Meaning of petty
Of little importance; trivial.
Key Difference
'Petty' often refers to minor issues or behaviors, while 'paltry' is more about small quantities or values.
Example of petty
- They argued over petty matters, wasting everyone's time.
- The manager’s petty rules frustrated the employees.
Conclusion
- 'Paltry' is best used when expressing disdain or frustration over something insultingly small or inadequate.
- 'Meager' can be used in situations describing scarcity without hesitation.
- If you want to sound more professional, use 'trifling' when dismissing something as unimportant.
- 'Negligible' is best when referring to something so minor it doesn’t affect the outcome.
- Use 'pitiful' when evoking sympathy or scorn for inadequacy.
- 'Insignificant' works well for neutral descriptions of unimportance.
- When facing a ridiculously small offer, 'derisory' is the perfect choice.
- If you are highlighting a symbolic but minimal effort, use 'token.'
- In informal contexts, 'measly' effectively conveys irritation over smallness.
- For trivial matters, 'petty' is the most appropriate term.