COSTIVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

costive

adjective

Definition of costive

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

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

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

The plot involves two sons of rich, miserly fathers in love with girls their fathers will never approve of and what happens when the fathers’ devious servants decide to give the boys a hand.

— Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
The already rich reap the most, though the thin spreading of payments means the payouts are relatively miserly for the game’s elite.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of miserly

Adjective

Erika is manipulative and selfish; Elliot doesn’t respect her boundaries either.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
This Fire sign reminds us that taking up space and being unapologetically yourself isn’t inherently selfish, and genuine self-expression can be incredibly brave.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Definition of selfish

Adjective

Accusing investors of not tracking the misses may be uncharitable.

— Henrik Landgren, Fortune, 29 July 2026
In the years since it was announced, the economics of college football have grown increasingly uncharitable for programs like the Mustangs, an FCS team that plays its home games in an 11,000-seat stadium and last had a winning season in 2016.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of uncharitable

Adjective

Leeds’ 95 goals dwarfed Burnley’s 69, but the latter were able to keep pace with their rivals because of their stingy defence.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
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

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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“Costive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of costive

adjective

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