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GRE vocabulary

paltry

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore P words

petty or insignificant in amount or worth

In a sentence

Paltry in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing paltry in a sentence.

They offered a paltry sum that barely covered the cost of materials.

The grant offered only a paltry sum, far too little to fund the proposed field research.

Antonyms
substantialsignificantample
Usage & nuance

Using “paltry” well

Paltry carries a dismissive, contemptuous tone, implying that an amount is not just small but insultingly inadequate.

Common questions

Questions about “paltry

Paltry (adjective) means petty or insignificant in amount or worth
Here is paltry used in an example sentence: "They offered a paltry sum that barely covered the cost of materials." Another example: "The grant offered only a paltry sum, far too little to fund the proposed field research."
Common synonyms for paltry include meager, trifling, scanty, negligible.
Antonyms of paltry include substantial, significant, ample.
Pair paltry with meager, trifling, scanty, and negligible in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms substantial, significant, and ample are common answer choices.
Yes. Paltry is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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