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Definitions

paltry

[pawl-tree] / ˈpɔl tri /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It's a paltry sum when you think about the number of households on heating oil," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

McDonald’s Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski had taken what social media mocked as a paltry nibble in a video promoting the chain’s new Big Arch burger, or “product,” as the CEO called it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

“Years of narrow, large cap leadership have forced active investors into mega caps, leaving the average stock out in the cold — it’s 20% underweight, and owned by a paltry 10% of funds on average.”

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Natural population growth last year was a paltry 519,000, down from 1.1 million in 2017 and between 1.6 million and 1.9 million during the 2000s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Samir stood back and shouted in reply, “What paltry merchandise are you selling these good people, Rasseem?”

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri




Vocabulary lists containing paltry