costive

adjective

Definition of costivenext
as in penurious

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of costive In fact, their writings are more pungent now that they have been liberated from the costive confines of the movement. — Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020 Movies coiled up in other movies have a habit of becoming either costive or cute, but somehow Falardeau avoids the traps. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costive
  1. penurious
  2. ungenerous
  3. parsimonious
  4. miserly
  5. selfish
  6. uncharitable
  7. stingy
  8. tightfisted
Adjective
  • There’s a cast of wanderers, visionaries, and itinerants, the self-educated and self-published, a long lineage of cranks and outcasts, mostly penurious, always opinionated, stretching away into the mists of pseudohistory.
    — Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • But both are gone because neither could make magic of Sherman’s low-spending model that still includes the most penurious payroll in MLB in 2025.
    — Greg Cote July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
Definition of penurious
Adjective
  • Bad motives are easy to find Sometimes ungenerous motives can help people to be generous.
    — Mark Schroeder, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
  • Suzanne’s ungenerous view of herself is one of many misperceptions that will be overturned—some gently, some not.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
Definition of ungenerous
Adjective
  • This one seemed slow and turgid, and the Australian attack was parsimonious, with only the sixth bowler used, Ash Gardner, going at more than 10 runs an over in her three overs.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • This is the most parsimonious way to account for the unified nature of consciousness, according to subcorticalists.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 28 May 2026
Definition of parsimonious
Adjective
  • Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Koenig’s former Yankees teammates were contemptuous of that miserly decision.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Definition of miserly
Adjective
  • From childcare grants to casual local classes, new support systems can make moms feel stronger, not selfish.
    — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • Nikki is critical of the latter, calling it selfish and cowardly.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of selfish
Adjective
  • Too many become uncharitable to the policies that helped them and the immigrants who followed.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • There is no need to be uncharitable.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of uncharitable
Adjective
  • But Messi’s magic ran out against a historically stingy Spain team that allowed just one goal in eight World Cup games.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • Fearful of invading marauders, humankind has turned distrustful and stingy, ignoring Zeus’ command to show generosity toward the poor and foreign-born, a cornerstone of faith that would later be repurposed in the New Testament.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of stingy
Adjective
  • Dobie’s cantankerous, tightfisted father and sweet, harebrained mother were played by the characters actors Frank Faylen and Florida Friebus.
    — Margalit Fox, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2022
  • The ambience reflects Hankey’s tightfisted approach to his seven companies, which include a Toyota dealership, a dealer management software developer and Midway Car Rental, which does a big business renting exotic cars.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2021
Definition of tightfisted

Browse Nearby Words

costing
costive
costless
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Cite this Entry

“Costive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costive. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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