Definitions

measly

[mee-zlee] / ˈmi zli /

ADJECTIVE

skimpy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

meager miserable miserly paltry pitiful puny

WEAK

beggarly contemptible insignificant mean niggling pathetic petty picayune piddling poor scanty stingy trifling trivial ungenerous unimportant valueless worthless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

big generous happy large liberal rich substantial wealthy

WEAK

abundant plenty proficient satisfactory sufficient

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.

Those measly gains were good enough for the latter two to notch fresh highs, their 16th and 12th so far in 2026, respectively.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

You’ll need to pay up ahead of time if you’d like to indulge in a measly packet of Biscoff cookies or extra salty pretzels.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

They made a measly three unforced errors in a 6-1, 6-1 semifinal wipeout of Marina’s David Tran and Alejandro Hill.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

The Bank of Canada expects the country’s resource economy to grow a measly 1.1% this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

All that work and he’d brought home a measly two bushels.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Vocabulary lists containing measly

Red Kayak

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Merci Suárez Changes Gears

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The Distance Between Us

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