scant 1 of 2

Definition of scantnext

scant

2 of 2

verb

as in to spare
to use or give out in stingy amounts don't scant the peanut butter on those sandwiches!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scant are meager, scanty, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When is meager a more appropriate choice than scant?

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When could scanty be used to replace scant?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of scant?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When might spare be a better fit than scant?

While in some cases nearly identical to scant, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When is it sensible to use sparse instead of scant?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scant
Adjective
Those ticket sales were down just 25% from the prior weekend, marking another scant decline for Focus Features’ low-budget horror sensation. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 June 2026 While initial details are scant as of publication, Euless Police said the crash involved a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler. Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Verb
There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas. Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022 In most cases, the Electoral College vote is a mere formality that carries no drama and garners scant public attention. Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for scant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scant
Adjective
  • And the deals extend well beyond skin care, with discounts on hair and makeup products that address everything from early signs of thinning hair and sparse brows to dull complexions in need of a natural-looking flush.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
  • In the stage-show memoir the movie keeps cutting to, Asher, now in his early eighties, with sparse red hair and tortoise-shell glasses, describes all of this in his mild and menschy way.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The pair got to the viewing area for the men’s street skateboard final with plenty of time to spare, snagging a prime spot to watch legends like Huston and Onodera.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
  • President Bill Clinton’s veto pen spared some district laws, while congressional GOP lawmakers at times succeeded at blocking others.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Pools are scarce in the area, Haze noted, and the marketing leans into that rarity — especially when paired with immediate beach access.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
  • With memory supply scarce and pricey, consumer electronics companies have spent the past six months pulling various levers to manage the situation, from reconfiguring product SKUs in order to reduce the bill of materials to reluctantly hiking prices.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Officials advised people to try conserving as much power as possible when the service was on, use surge protectors for valuable electronics, prepare emergency kits in the event of a fire and keep their refrigerators or freezers closed.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • The Deschutes, like rivers across the country, is owned by the public, and taxpayers are spending big to conserve it.
    Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Developers will preserve about 1,200 acres and plan 26 miles of trails, with portions in the Hickory Creek area.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026
  • Georgia Tech officials said preserving capacity while modernizing the fan experience was a key goal of the project.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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