Paltry example sentences

Related (12): meager, inadequate, insufficient, scanty, sparse, minimal, trivial, negligible, trifling, pittance, stingy, miserly

"Paltry" Example Sentences

The raise they offered was absolutely paltry — barely enough to cover inflation.
He looked at the paltry sum in his bank account and felt a wave of panic.
After months of work, the paltry results made everyone question whether it was worth the effort.
She inherited what seemed like a paltry amount until she realized the real estate was worth millions.
The government's response to the crisis felt paltry compared to the scale of the problem.
They served paltry portions at the restaurant, and we left still hungry.
His paltry attempt at an apology didn't fool anyone.
The paltry attendance at the event was embarrassing for the organizers.
Most people would consider that salary paltry for someone with her experience.
The evidence against him was paltry at best — mostly circumstantial.
Honestly, the paltry effort he put into the project was insulting.
What they offered in compensation was paltry compared to what she'd lost.
The paltry number of volunteers meant the work took twice as long.
I can't believe they expect us to be grateful for such a paltry benefit.
The paltry light from the single bulb barely reached the corners of the room.
After all that buildup, the actual payoff felt paltry and disappointing.
She stared at the paltry selection of options and sighed.
The paltry turnout suggested nobody really cared about the cause.
He'd spent years building something only to watch it sell for a paltry price.
The paltry excuse he gave didn't explain anything.
Most of the budget went to marketing, leaving paltry funds for actual development.
They tried to make up for the paltry wages with vague promises of future growth.
The paltry progress we've made in six months is frankly unacceptable.
What started as a paltry investment somehow turned into a billion-dollar company.
The paltry details he provided left more questions than answers.
Even the paltry amount of sleep she got last night was interrupted.
The paltry excuse of being busy doesn't cut it anymore.
His paltry contribution to the group project was noticed by everyone.
The paltry view from the hotel room made us regret booking it.
She felt insulted by the paltry offer — it was almost an insult to her skills.

Common Phrases

paltry sum
paltry amount
paltry effort
paltry excuse
paltry wages
paltry results
paltry compensation
paltry selection
paltry evidence
paltry attempt

Examples by Level

The paltry amount of food was not enough for everyone.
He gave a paltry excuse for being late to work.

The paltry salary made it hard to pay her bills each month.
She looked at the paltry selection in the store and felt disappointed.

The government's paltry response to the disaster angered most citizens.
After all that work, the paltry results felt like a complete waste of time.

The company tried to offset the paltry wages with vague promises of future bonuses.
His paltry attempt at reconciliation only made things worse between them.

What the institution offered as compensation was paltry in relation to the actual harm caused.
The paltry evidence presented by the prosecution raised serious doubts about the case's viability.

The paltry attention given to the underlying structural issues meant the crisis would inevitably resurface.
She'd spent decades building something of substance only to watch it reduced to a paltry transaction.

Examples by Scenario

🏠 Everyday Life

The paltry amount of coffee left in the pot wasn't worth brewing a fresh cup.
My kid's paltry allowance means he has to choose between a snack or a toy.

💼 Workplace

The paltry budget they gave us for the entire project was laughable.
His paltry contribution to the meeting made me wonder why he even showed up.

📊 Business

The company's paltry investment in R&D finally caught up with them when competitors innovated faster.
The paltry margins in that sector make it nearly impossible to turn a profit.

🛒 Buying / Shopping

The paltry discount they offered wasn't enough to justify buying the overpriced item.
I was insulted by the paltry selection of sizes available in my preferred color.

✈️ Travel

The hotel's paltry breakfast spread didn't match the price we paid for the room.
The paltry amount of legroom in economy class made the flight unbearable.

📚 Education

The school's paltry funding meant outdated textbooks and broken equipment in every classroom.
Despite the paltry resources available, the teacher somehow made the lessons engaging.

❤️ Relationships

His paltry effort to remember her birthday hurt more than if he'd forgotten entirely.
She felt devastated by the paltry amount of emotional support he offered when she needed him most.

📰 News / Politics

Critics argue the government's paltry climate commitments fall far short of what's needed.
The paltry turnout at the rally suggested the movement had lost momentum.

💻 Technology

The paltry storage space on the free plan makes the app almost unusable.
The new phone's paltry battery life was a major disappointment for the price.

📝 Formal Writing

The paltry evidence presented in the study undermines the validity of its conclusions.
Despite the paltry resources allocated to the initiative, measurable progress was achieved.