paltry compensation

USAGE SUMMARY

"paltry compensation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a small or inadequate amount of money or other benefits given as reparation for something. Example: Despite the long hours and difficult work, the employees were only promised a paltry compensation for their efforts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Many say they were offered paltry compensation; those who refused the packages were fired anyway.

The New York Times

Then he went on to object to the paltry compensation elementary-level educators and caretakers receive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some got paltry compensation to give up their traditional lands and settle outside forests.

The Guardian

As a Northerner managing hundreds of teenage girls working long hours for paltry compensation, Frank elicited little sympathy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those who received the paltry compensation said it ran out within weeks, others say they have received nothing.

Independent

Many of the workers would disagree, saying they were often forced to accept paltry compensation, sometimes just two or three years before planned retirements.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In reality, many of those who lose their lands or livelihoods are likely to receive nothing more than paltry financial compensation.

The Guardian - Books

This left the Adivasis with three choices: they could move to a government resettlement site with salty drinking water and inadequate land; they could accept paltry cash compensation and head for a big city slum; or they could stay at home and drown.

The Guardian - Film

I admire all who are willing to spend countless hours on public business for a paltry monetary compensation.

Los Angeles Times

Interestingly (consistent with the theme of my book), they were active traders, playing the expectations market cleverly to net a profit of $1.8 billion in trades of their stock in their own institution between 2000 and the 2008 crash - on top of their paltry cash compensation of $890 million.

Huffington Post

Or the paltry offer of compensation.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paltry compensation", ensure the context clearly indicates who is providing the compensation and to whom. For example, "The company offered paltry compensation to the laid-off workers."

Common error

Avoid using "paltry compensation" when you actually mean fair or adequate compensation. The word "paltry" has a negative connotation and suggests the compensation is insultingly small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry compensation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "paltry" modifies the noun "compensation". It describes the quality or amount of compensation provided, indicating its inadequacy. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to express dissatisfaction with the level of payment or reparation offered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paltry compensation" is a commonly used phrase that describes an inadequate or insultingly small amount of money or benefits provided as reparation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds its primary usage in News & Media, academic and encyclopedia contexts. The phrase carries a negative connotation, expressing dissatisfaction with the level of payment. Alternatives include "meager remuneration" and "inadequate recompense". When using this phrase, be mindful of its negative implications and ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning. Ludwig's examples and analysis highlight the contexts in which this phrase is most effectively used, offering valuable guidance for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager remuneration

Replaces "compensation" with "remuneration", emphasizing the formal aspect of payment, and "paltry" with "meager", maintaining the meaning of insufficient amount.

inadequate recompense

Substitutes "compensation" with "recompense", focusing on making amends for loss or harm, while "inadequate" reflects the insufficient nature of the compensation.

scant payment

Uses "payment" instead of "compensation", which is a more direct term for money received, and "scant" to indicate a lack of sufficient amount.

trifling settlement

Replaces "compensation" with "settlement", typically used in legal or agreement contexts, while "trifling" suggests the amount is insignificant.

minimal reimbursement

Changes "compensation" to "reimbursement", highlighting the act of repaying expenses, and "minimal" to convey the small amount being reimbursed.

derisory sum

Replaces "compensation" with "sum", a general term for an amount of money, while "derisory" emphasizes that the amount is so small it's almost insulting.

insufficient emolument

Replaces "compensation" with "emolument", a formal term for salary or fees, and "insufficient" to indicate not enough compensation is provided.

small allowance

Uses "allowance" instead of "compensation", suggesting a regular payment for specific needs, and "small" to describe the quantity.

stingy reward

Substitutes "compensation" with "reward", emphasizing something given in return for service or merit, while "stingy" suggests a reluctance to give generously.

paltry consideration

Replaces "compensation" with "consideration", which can mean payment in a contract, maintaining "paltry" to describe the small amount.

FAQs

How to use "paltry compensation" in a sentence?

Use "paltry compensation" to describe an amount of money or other benefits offered as reparation that is considered insultingly small or inadequate. For example: "The victims received only "paltry compensation" for their suffering."

What can I say instead of "paltry compensation"?

You can use alternatives like "meager remuneration", "inadequate recompense", or "scant payment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "paltry compensation" or "substantial compensation"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Paltry compensation" indicates a very small or inadequate amount, while "substantial compensation" means a significant or considerable amount.

What's the difference between "paltry compensation" and "minimal compensation"?

While both phrases suggest a small amount of money or benefits, ""paltry compensation"" implies that the amount is so small it's almost offensive, whereas "minimal compensation" simply means the smallest amount possible or necessary.