variants or meagre

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective meager differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When is scant a more appropriate choice than meager?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, but scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When would scanty be a good substitute for meager?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of meager?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When might spare be a better fit than meager?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

In what contexts can sparse take the place of meager?

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

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 meager My meager math skills translate that into $27.50 in winnings on a $30 bet. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025 Tap the three lines in the upper right corner to view the generator's meager settings menu. PC Magazine, 2 June 2025 The Panthers seemed flat in the first period, almost lifeless by their standard, managing a meager two shots on goal. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025 This is a double tax on the people who do some of the hardest jobs in this country with meager salaries and the least labor protections. Jesus 'chuy' Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager
Adjective
  • On one side stood a sparse gathering of supporters, including students and faculty.
    Avi D. Gordon, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025
  • After missing the cut at the US Open, Phil Mickelson walked off the 18th green at Oakmont with a quiet nod to the sparse crowd, a soft wave, and a lingering glance at the leaderboard.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Accurate data is scarce, given that members of groups rarely self-identify.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Dholes are dogs and communal hunters, typically traveling in packs of up to 30 animals but can hunt alone or in pairs when prey is scarce, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite having a poor 2024 season that saw the Pirates remove Bednar from the closer role, the right-hander is back to his dominant form.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The key drivers are BGE’s soaring spending and profits and poor management by PJM Interconnection, the private entity that operates our electric grid.
    Emily Scarr, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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