paltry

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

It was a heady feeling, even though my gifts were paltry next to those of Justice, who inherited an entire herd.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela