paltry

/ˈpɑltɹi/adjective

So small or worthless as to be almost meaningless.

Example sentences

“He offered a paltry apology and walked away.”
“The job pays a paltry wage for such long hours.”

Nearly always sits before sums and amounts: a paltry fee, a paltry turnout.

Featured as word of the day on February 18, 2026.

Synonyms for paltry

meager
measly
trifling
negligible

Antonyms

generous
substantial
considerable

Often confused with paltry

paltry vs poultry: poultry (noun): Farm birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys, raised for eggs or meat.

Find it in: Advanced English words.

Related words

pallidLacking color or brightness; looking pale and weak.pariahSomeone whom society or their community refuses to accept; an outcast.ostracizeTo shut someone out of a group or society by ignoring them and refusing to have any contact with them.ostentatiousDeliberately showy in order to catch people's attention.onerousRequiring so much effort that it feels like a heavy load; hard to bear.peremptoryExpecting to be obeyed at once, in a rude way that allows no questions or refusal.