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

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 economical Think Before You Book: Not All Clinics Are Equal Turkey is an economical destination for hair transplants, but such a decision entails great responsibility. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 All those years of churning out newsweekly copy helped make Whitaker an instinctive crafter of miniature character arcs who chooses the right details and paints portraits with swift, economical strokes. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Often situated right next to HomeGoods, many people forget about this flourishing neighbor when on the hunt for economical home finds. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 May 2025 Many left for shale drilling areas like the Bakken in North Dakota or the Permian Basin in southern New Mexico and Texas where drilling on private land was more productive, lucrative and economical. Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for economical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for economical
Adjective
  • Again, there’s nothing wrong with parents setting limits or being frugal.
    Matt K. Lewis, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
  • Pol said that local governments in Porter County were already frugal.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • But fresh, homemade pasta dishes can be just as thrifty and pack even more flavor at dinnertime.
    Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Two of Colorado’s largest independent craft breweries are merging Vote (again) in the final round of our green chile bracket But fresh, homemade pasta dishes can be just as thrifty and pack even more flavor at dinnertime.
    Tribune News Service, Denver Post, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington State's prudent financial governance stands in stark contrast to Washington DC's struggle with fiscal discipline.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • In each case, Simon stresses that best-available player not only is the safest approach but also the most prudent.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • My brother-in-law was not what one calls a provident father.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2024
  • For example, many cities have begun allowing parents to help their children buy an apartment using their housing provident funds, a kind of compulsory saving program in China.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022
Adjective
  • But the smile is now more sparing, at least on camera.
    Longreads, Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
    New York Times, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Economical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/economical. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on economical

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