Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective miserly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of miserly are close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When can close be used instead of miserly?

Although the words close and miserly have much in common, close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When is it sensible to use niggardly instead of miserly?

While the synonyms niggardly and miserly are close in meaning, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

Where would parsimonious be a reasonable alternative to miserly?

The synonyms parsimonious and miserly are sometimes interchangeable, but parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When would penurious be a good substitute for miserly?

The words penurious and miserly can be used in similar contexts, but penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When is stingy a more appropriate choice than miserly?

While in some cases nearly identical to miserly, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 miserly Chrissy made a predictably miserly offer of $230,000, and obviously David did not take it. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 Up to then, Wrexham had by far the most miserly defence in League One after conceding just 11 goals in 19 league games — five better than Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town. Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 Chrissy made a predictably miserly offer of $230,000, and obviously David did not take it. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 Liverpool’s torpid display at Wembley against Newcastle will have hurt Merseyside pride, but the cost to club coffers is minimal; League Cup compensation is miserly, even for the winners. Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miserly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserly
Adjective
  • Iran is not a backward place, even if its current government is backward-looking and selfish.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2025
  • There’s nobody selfish, one through nine, and the bench players, too.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • For most, wealth results from years of hard work, careful planning, and disciplined saving.
    Georgette Virgo, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • However, be careful of blurring the distinction between professional and personal relationships.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Luxury sweets may cost a pretty penny, but giving your host a free pass to be a bit stingy with them?
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
  • At some point, though, Indiana will need someone to make a tough bucket against a stingy defense.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • People often stereotype crypto investors as reckless, young, or greedy.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • To be patient but not to be greedy, Lilian thought now, studying Maureen’s pale eyelids.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both parsimonious tenets are measurable, explainable and actionable.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • This parsimonious approach protects you from overdoing it when a less resource-intensive and even faster way to get the data would have been enough.
    Julius Černiauskas, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.
    Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 May 2023
Adjective
  • Some of my friends sent them a gift, knowing why they were not invited, but three of my close friends didn’t send anything (even a card would have been thoughtful).
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
  • Republicans are closer than ever to passing President Donald Trump’s huge party-line tax and spending cuts bill before July 4, as its Senate prospects brightened on ahead of a critical initial vote on Saturday afternoon.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • At least with Derrick, the shallowness seems intentional, if ungenerous.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
  • But, even though there was nothing the slightest bit ungracious or ungenerous about her performance, it was felt more like the audience being asked to come to her.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Miserly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserly. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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