1
as in economical
careful in the management of money or resources
a sparing couple who are trying to save up enough for a house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a government agency that has always been sparing of public information
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
unfortunately, the explanation of the health insurance plan was somewhat sparing on details
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1
as in conserving
to use or give out in stingy amounts
I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream
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2
as in saving
to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
she had grown up during the Great Depression, so she was no stranger to sparing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparing
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Adjective
But the smile is now more sparing, at least on camera.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Beyond personal preference—which is no small consideration—there are also economical considerations involved in making the decision to invest the time and money to prepare a home for aging in place.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2025
-
Fast food has long been considered a more economical, if not more healthful, way to eat.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
This thing is razor sharp though, be careful when using it in the backcountry.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
25 May 2025
-
Momentum is a real thing within the postseason, and if the Thunder aren't careful, Minnesota could sneak back into this matchup.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Spa The Recovery Lab feels more like a doctor’s office than a traditional spa, with sparse white walls and minimal decor.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
-
But turnout at Wednesday’s sessions was sparse; at faculty and student forums, more than half of the seats were empty.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
In 1980, voters overwhelmingly chose Reagan’s sunny optimism over Carter’s gloomy warnings about cutting back and conserving.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Addressing these inefficiencies through sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, energy audits and waste-to-energy solutions is crucial to reducing the global carbon footprint, conserving resources, and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And Tanner Scott, a $72 million reigning All-Star closer, has blown several save opportunities.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
In a job market where interviews are scarce and searches can stretch for months, Marino-Briggs was struck by how often candidates arrived unprepared.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
In a year where momentum is scarce, NASCAR’s 600-mile test provides a chance to put some distance between the good and the great.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
A day—or week—of being surrounded by flowering, textural plants while doing good for the future by preserving the past provides lasting benefits and more fragrant spaces for all.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Show Them Some Love Regular maintenance, including cleaning, is key for preserving your collection.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Photo : Sunseeker Yachts Lewis Hamilton, Sunseeker 90 Scuderia Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton is enjoying spare moments off the track aboard his Sunseeker 90.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
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The film will be set in a dystopian future, where the elite harvest clones for spare parts.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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