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niggardly

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective niggardly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of niggardly are close, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When can close be used instead of niggardly?

Although the words close and niggardly 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 miserly instead of niggardly?

The meanings of miserly and niggardly largely overlap; however, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would parsimonious be a reasonable alternative to niggardly?

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

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When could penurious be used to replace niggardly?

While in some cases nearly identical to niggardly, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When would stingy be a good substitute for niggardly?

The words stingy and niggardly can be used in similar contexts, but 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 niggardly
Adjective
Many Chileans are angry about the country’s unequal distribution of wealth and power, about niggardly pensions (for which people are supposed to save themselves) and about long waiting times for doctors’ visits and poor schools. The Economist, 25 Dec. 2019 To tap one of the country’s two largest and most niggardly mines is hard enough. The Economist, 3 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggardly
Adjective
  • One of the things that bedeviled American politics this century is our close elections, which has made our parties and their leaders miserly with their political capital.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • While casual fans and explosive-offense junkies may tap out early (not for nothing did the Vegas books set the over/under at a miserly 44.5 points), the stakes are far too high to pass up on the inaugural semifinal of the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Polanski, although food was scarce, by some miracle Ryszard’s mother, Regina, managed to procure hot chocolate for the kids.
    Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That typically happens in colder months and with shorter days as food is scarce and the climate isn't suitable for regular behavior.
    Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bass has employed a more careful and conciliatory tone.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Leopold cautioned immigrants of any religious, national or ethnic background to be careful traveling.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The film’s sparse, handmade 16-mm aesthetic, which visually recalls influences ranging from early German Expressionism to the work of Guy Maddin, primarily sells the film’s outlandish fantastical conceit, despite its derivative nature.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The meditative song highlights Future’s confessional over sparse production.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • So Miami’s success was based primarily on stingy coverage on third downs and in the red zone, which were two areas Brooks excelled in as a coverage specialist for tight ends and tailbacks.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Bosa and Mack, 33, teamed to help the Chargers become the NFL’s stingiest defense during the regular season, giving up an average of only 17.7 points per game.
    Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In a perfect and parsimonious world, a single two-stage spacecraft would land on Mars, scoop up soil samples in situ, and transfer them to an ascent stage which would blast off into orbit.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Under Mike Ashley, the Premier League’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations — which permit losses of up to £105m over a rolling three-year period — were never an issue given his parsimonious nature.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
Adjective
  • Pet peeves: Rude people, selfish people, mean people, people who tailgate/cut you off while driving.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025
  • As detailed by Flourish Together, selfish behavior in relationships often manifests through unilateral decision-making, dismissive responses, and an expectation that one partner will cater to the other's needs without reciprocation.
    Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • That seems like the closest analogue to what DOGE was supposed to be.
    Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Last week, Trump celebrated the confirmation of an Interior secretary, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who has such a close relationship with fossil fuel companies that oil and gas billionaire Harold Hamm once gifted him a set of cuff links to thank him for his friendship.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near niggardly

Cite this Entry

“Niggardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggardly. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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