PENNY-WISE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

penny-wise

adjective

Definition of penny-wise

as in parsimonious

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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 penny-wise That led to the penny-wise, pound-foolish path of appeasement. — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 Undermining Bayh-Dole to scrape together a billion or two in revenue would be penny-wise and pound-foolish. — Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 In fiscal terms, the budget cuts are penny-wise and galactically foolish. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 Cheap graphics cards are penny-wise but dollar-foolish for gaming PCs. — Brad Bourque, Wired News, 9 Aug. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penny-wise

Adjective

This one seemed slow and turgid, and the Australian attack was parsimonious, with only the sixth bowler used, Ash Gardner, going at more than 10 runs an over in her three overs.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
This is the most parsimonious way to account for the unified nature of consciousness, according to subcorticalists.

— Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 28 May 2026

Definition of parsimonious

Adjective

The plot involves two sons of rich, miserly fathers in love with girls their fathers will never approve of and what happens when the fathers’ devious servants decide to give the boys a hand.

— Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
The already rich reap the most, though the thin spreading of payments means the payouts are relatively miserly for the game’s elite.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of miserly

Adjective

Dobie’s cantankerous, tightfisted father and sweet, harebrained mother were played by the characters actors Frank Faylen and Florida Friebus.

— Margalit Fox, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2022
The ambience reflects Hankey’s tightfisted approach to his seven companies, which include a Toyota dealership, a dealer management software developer and Midway Car Rental, which does a big business renting exotic cars.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2021

Definition of tightfisted

Adjective

There’s a cast of wanderers, visionaries, and itinerants, the self-educated and self-published, a long lineage of cranks and outcasts, mostly penurious, always opinionated, stretching away into the mists of pseudohistory.

— Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
But both are gone because neither could make magic of Sherman’s low-spending model that still includes the most penurious payroll in MLB in 2025.

— Greg Cote July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025

Definition of penurious

Adjective

Leeds’ 95 goals dwarfed Burnley’s 69, but the latter were able to keep pace with their rivals because of their stingy defence.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
But Messi’s magic ran out against a historically stingy Spain team that allowed just one goal in eight World Cup games.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of stingy

Adjective

Best laser printers This economical Wi-Fi printer is a small and lightweight workhorse that can print up to 36 pages per minute.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
The effort is well worth it, as time spent in economical travel can refresh you and your family.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Definition of economical

Browse Nearby Words

penny-pinching

penny-wise

pennyworth

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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“Penny-wise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penny-wise. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of penny-wise

adjective

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