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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparing
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
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
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The administration is sparing only the essentials, according to Gilman.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
American forces shattered military defenses, radar, and IRGC protection around the regime’s most important export hub while deliberately sparing the oil terminal itself.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
These discussions can serve legitimate purposes by sparing courts trials.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Quigley said earlier predictions of a foot or more of snow in Milwaukee have shifted north, somewhat sparing southern Wisconsin.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Several times when prosecutors played video from the 2024 shooting in Far Rockaway, his widow Stephanie Diller stepped out of the courtroom, sparing herself the grisly and gruesome details of how her husband and father of her 3-year-old boy died trying to disarm an ex-convict on a busy street.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The golden goal is even sparing Rangers fans, somewhat.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
The World Health Organization called Monday for sparing civilians and healthcare facilities in the Middle East amid the escalating conflict.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In other cases, the redactions were more sparing.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
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
Verb
In December, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted her diversion due to mental health issues, sparing her potential jail time.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The administration is sparing only the essentials, according to Gilman.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
American forces shattered military defenses, radar, and IRGC protection around the regime’s most important export hub while deliberately sparing the oil terminal itself.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
These discussions can serve legitimate purposes by sparing courts trials.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Quigley said earlier predictions of a foot or more of snow in Milwaukee have shifted north, somewhat sparing southern Wisconsin.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Several times when prosecutors played video from the 2024 shooting in Far Rockaway, his widow Stephanie Diller stepped out of the courtroom, sparing herself the grisly and gruesome details of how her husband and father of her 3-year-old boy died trying to disarm an ex-convict on a busy street.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The golden goal is even sparing Rangers fans, somewhat.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
The World Health Organization called Monday for sparing civilians and healthcare facilities in the Middle East amid the escalating conflict.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
The Dolphins need edge rushers, and Sullivan found a couple of economical options in free agency in Josh Uche and David Ojabo.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
As with the others, Bjorn and wife and creative director Julija’s thoughtful touches are everywhere, from the singular pieces of vintage decor that fill the rooms to the economical (and ecological) construction of the cabins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An assembly of planets in Aries moves through your twelfth house, stirring emotions behind the scenes and asking for careful tending.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
To the begonia collectors out there, Begona Black Velvet, with large leaves that could have fallen from a maple tree, is worth a careful look.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The no-fuss interior is pretty sparse, bar a handful of tables and small wine cabinet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But as space continues to expand today, and matter becomes sparser, the universe is looking increasingly like de Sitter space again.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For Robert Flamerich, who drives from Miami Beach to Doral daily, conserving gas means sacrificing comfort.—
Austin Carter,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Many of Brandix’s facilities operate primarily on solar energy and employ advanced energy optimization systems, helping to maintain continuity while conserving resources.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Hortas were horrified to learn that Tania Hernandez, the owner of the small house where their friend was going hungry, was a social services worker for the state charged with the mission of saving frail, elderly and disabled adults like Rabell.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Kane County Health Department has partnered with community organizations to install publicly accessible naloxone dispensing boxes, making the life-saving medication easier to obtain quickly and discreetly.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Companies competed for scarce workers with healthcare coverage when wages were frozen.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Details were scarce on when checks would arrive, and a political battle in Congress over funding the Department of Homeland Security continued in earnest Friday.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
City backers and project leaders tasked the Beltline with building or preserving 5,600 housing units at rates below market-rate while simultaneously delivering a 22-mile trail loop by the end of 2030.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Importantly, this approach is not specific to preserving just this species of squirrel.—
Eve Bohnett,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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