Synonyms of economical

economical

adjective

ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl 

as in economizing

careful in the management of money or resources

we have to be economical in our use of the camp's limited supply of electricity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economizing
• saving
• frugal
• thrifty
• prudent
• conserving
• provident
• sparing
• cheap
• preserving
• scrimping
• foresighted
• parsimonious
• forehanded
• close
• foresightful
• spare
• penny-wise
• miserly
• tight
• stingy
• penurious
• mean
• pinching
• tightfisted
• penny-pinching
• stinting
• closefisted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wasteful
• profligate
• spendthrift
• unthrifty
• prodigal
• liberal
• generous
• improvident
• charitable
• shortsighted
• unselfish
• bountiful
• munificent
• thriftless
• extravagant
• unsparing
• squandering
• lavish
• indulgent
• openhanded
• freehanded

Synonym Chooser

How is the word economical distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of economical are frugal, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

When could frugal be used to replace economical?

While the synonyms frugal and economical are close in meaning, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When is it sensible to use sparing instead of economical?

The meanings of sparing and economical largely overlap; however, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

When can thrifty be used instead of economical?

The words thrifty and economical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of economical

Experts note that keeping human employees might be more economical, with examples like NVIDIA's VP Bryan Catanzaro and Uber's CTO reporting AI costs surpassing human labor expenses. —Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Similarly economical and granularly detailed is a 20-minute sequence in the middle of the film that’s gruesome, comical and crucial to the propulsion of the story. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026

Unlike in America, where big cars were cheap and fuel even cheaper, small European streets and even smaller car-buying budgets necessitated vehicles a little more economical in both size and fuel consumption. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026

With a bit of searching and ingenuity, though, garden item deals that are economical and comparable to more expensive brands can be found. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 14 May 2026