miserly

adjective

mi·​ser·​ly ˈmī-zər-lē 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a miser

especially : marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness

The team's miserly owner refused to buy new equipment.

miserliness noun

Synonyms

• selfish
• careful
• stingy
• greedy
• parsimonious
• tightfisted
• ungenerous
• tight
• close
• cheap
• penurious
• pinching
• mean
• uncharitable
• chintzy
• penny-pinching
• desirous
• sparing
• mingy
• economical
• spare

Choose the Right Synonym for miserly

stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others.

stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Examples of miserly in a Sentence

He was given a miserly raise.

my brother, who is notoriously miserly, surprised us when he offered to pick up the tab

Recent Examples on the Web

How much is unclear, but with the Portuguese’s contract not due to expire until June 2027, the amounts won’t be miserly. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

That’ll teach Assad to give Meatball more than a miserly $40 contribution next time! —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2025

McKim, Mead & White quickly became the place for aspiring young architects, who avidly sought jobs there despite miserly salaries. —Henry Wiencek july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025

The miserly email account offerings are particularly limiting for larger ventures, and unusual for the category which typically offers unlimited email. —PC Magazine, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

miserly

adjective

mi·​ser·​ly ˈmī-zər-lē 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a miser

miserliness noun