Master confusing words with ease
Paltry vs. Petty
Paltry
/ˈpɔːltri/Examples:
He grumbled over the paltry sum he received for his efforts.Faced with a paltry menu, we opted for another restaurant.Her paltry excuse for being late didn't convince anyone.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Petty
/ˈpeti/Examples:
The debate was dismissed as a petty quarrel.They put aside petty differences to collaborate.Ignoring petty criticisms, she delivered a great speech.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Both words imply something of little importance, but paltry is often used to describe things lacking in value, quality, or amount.
- Paltry might evoke a sense of insufficiency or meagerness, like a paltry amount of money or a paltry excuse.
- Petty often conveys a sense of small-mindedness or pettiness and is commonly used to describe trivial concerns or mean-spirited behavior.
- Think of paltry when something is insufficiently small or trivial, whereas petty when referring to minor or insignificant behavior.
- Petty can also describe details that are overemphasized as important when they really aren't.
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