paltry

American  

[pawl-tree] / ˈpɔl tri /

adjective

paltrier, paltriest

1. ridiculously or insultingly small.

   a paltry sum.

   Synonyms:

   insignificant , slight , inconsiderable , minor

   Antonyms:

   major , important

2. utterly worthless.

3. mean or contemptible.

   a paltry coward.

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paltry British  

/ ˈpɔːltrɪ /

adjective

1. insignificant; meagre

2. worthless or petty

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Related Words

See petty.

Other Word Forms

• paltrily adverb
• paltriness noun
• unpaltry adjective

Etymology

Origin of paltry

First recorded in 1560–70; from Low German paltrig “ragged,” equivalent to *palter “rag” ( dialectal German Palter ) + -ig -y ¹

Example Sentences

The EU is expected to offer its expertise to help build up intra-African trade, which currently accounts for a paltry 15 percent of the total, diplomats said.

From Barron's

This could anger poorer countries who want stronger support from richer nations and heavily criticised a deal at last year's COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which they considered paltry.

From BBC

It seems Quantum Computing may be immune to that pressure, as its share price reflects its paltry revenue and the limited commercialization of its technology.

From Barron's

A late October poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showed paltry numbers for all candidates.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, 1 gigawatt, which the Energy Department once noted was roughly half the power generated by the Hoover Dam, seems paltry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• insignificant
• meager
• measly
• miserable
• pitiful
• puny
• trivial