SPARSE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sparse' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager , scanty , scant , skimpy , and spare . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

Q: When might 'meager' be a better fit than 'sparse'?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. // a meager portion of meat

Q: In what contexts can 'scant' take the place of 'sparse'?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential. // in January the daylight hours are scant

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scanty' instead of 'sparse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse , scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When could 'skimpy' be used to replace 'sparse'?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: Where would 'spare' be a reasonable alternative to 'sparse'?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

sparse

adjective

ˈspärs

Definition of sparse next

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable open land is sparse around here

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How does the adjective sparse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, and spare. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

When might meager be a better fit than sparse?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

In what contexts can scant take the place of sparse?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 it sensible to use scanty instead of sparse?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When could skimpy be used to replace sparse?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to sparse?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

Examples of sparse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s expected to peak at 11 p.m. ET and will likely be on the sparse side, with about 10 meteors at most streaking across the sky per hour. —

Alexandra Banner, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024 Public polling on Proposition 5 has been sparse but points to a tight race. —

Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024 Polling in the state is sparse but Tester is solidly behind. —

Noah Bressner, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024 But the star has a similar mass to our sun, because the gasses within it are much more sparse. —

Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sparse

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sparse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparse. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of sparse

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