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
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Every day, your immune system performs a delicate balancing act, defending you from thousands of pathogens that cause disease while sparing your body’s own healthy cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the judge that sparing Combs serious prison time would excuse years of violence.
—Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile Jack Ciattarelli continues to rake in cash from billionaire landlords while his running mate wants to raise taxes on working New Jerseyans while sparing the ultra-wealthy.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trump could have faced up to four years in prison, but a judge issued an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction in place but sparing him any penalty or fine.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Like the white flag of surrender or throwing a towel into a boxing ring, crying signals that a person acknowledges defeat and can no longer put up a fight, sparing both sides in a conflict from the costs of further fighting when the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers will be on their annual autumn recess, sparing the government an awkward decision.
—Jill Lawless, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
Dynamic pigment technology is at play here, making sure the hues layer on in an even and harmonious way (thereby sparing you from having to do any blending yourself).
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Every day, your immune system performs a delicate balancing act, defending you from thousands of pathogens that cause disease while sparing your body’s own healthy cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the judge that sparing Combs serious prison time would excuse years of violence.
—Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile Jack Ciattarelli continues to rake in cash from billionaire landlords while his running mate wants to raise taxes on working New Jerseyans while sparing the ultra-wealthy.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trump could have faced up to four years in prison, but a judge issued an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction in place but sparing him any penalty or fine.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Like the white flag of surrender or throwing a towel into a boxing ring, crying signals that a person acknowledges defeat and can no longer put up a fight, sparing both sides in a conflict from the costs of further fighting when the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers will be on their annual autumn recess, sparing the government an awkward decision.
—Jill Lawless, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Professional teeth whitening services can cost hundreds of dollars, but an at-home remedy that’s both effective and economical can be a solid alternative.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Ink-tank printers looked poised to become the better, more economical choice for the future of printing.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For now, Swifties only have the song titles, multiple variant covers, and sparse details shared during the singer’s two-hour long New Heights podcast appearance to shape their understanding of the album.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The pros and cons of sparse attention An AI model makes decisions based on its training data and new information, such as a prompt.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Iran can achieve that by abandoning water-hungry crops, shifting to smart farming, conserving every drop, and reviving flood-management techniques Iranians once mastered to recharge depleted aquifers.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
While the app is available and encouraged year-round, the week was a spotlight on the importance of joint effort when conserving the environment, Zirk said.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Front man Coleman cuts a tall, brooding figure, saving his emotions for his vocal delivery and occasional pronouncements on the importance of faith.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The machine has a sleek, space-saving design, with a water tank positioned behind the unit.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bishnoi denies involvement in Moosewala’s murder, but in an explosive interview from behind bars, accused his close aide of orchestrating it.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The departure of Busquets and Alba means Messi will lose two of his most talented teammates and closest friends.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Details remain scarce, but Netflix says that players will have to undergo physical and mental challenges in order to receive clues, with characters like the aforementioned Mustard, Professor Plum and others all represented.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
-
And don’t forget to keep filling the DesGully Window Bird Feeder all winter long—birds come to rely on that food source, especially when the weather’s cold and the food is scarce.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Explore Historic Sites and Structures The Warren Heritage Society is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of Front Royal and Warren County, including historic homes, museums, and shops.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Expect Hamas to try to equivocate, buy time, soften language, and insist on impossible guarantees while preserving levers of power.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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