Synonyms of frugal

frugal

adjective

ˈfrü-gəl 

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources

by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word frugal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of frugal are economical, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When might economical be a better fit than frugal?

The synonyms economical and frugal are sometimes interchangeable, but economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

In what contexts can sparing take the place of frugal?

While in some cases nearly identical to frugal, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

When is thrifty a more appropriate choice than frugal?

The words thrifty and frugal can be used in similar contexts, but thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frugal

Rheinmetall has soared 150% thanks largely to the German parliament’s commitment in March to create a fund to spend more than $500 million on defense and infrastructure over 12 years, a stark departure from the nation’s longstanding frugal spending policies. —Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

For frugal travelers, that means both more options for flights — and more opportunities for deals. —Nerdwallet, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

There is so much in the ether telling us not to be frugal. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Reasonable people can be reasonably frugal. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

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