Definition of penuriousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective penurious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of penurious are close, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to penurious?

While the synonyms close and penurious are close in meaning, close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When might miserly be a better fit than penurious?

While in some cases nearly identical to penurious, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When is it sensible to use niggardly instead of penurious?

Although the words niggardly and penurious have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of penurious?

The words parsimonious and penurious can be used in similar contexts, but parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When can stingy be used instead of penurious?

The meanings of stingy and penurious largely overlap; however, 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 penurious Even so, the general picture of a mother’s absence and a daughter’s understandable resentment at having had to pick up the maternal slack in penurious conditions comes through loud and clear. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024 Whatever was going on between the two rich men, the murder investigation presents a profound, perhaps insurmountable challenge to the penurious tropical police force. Nina Burleigh, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024 Both album and turntable were all the rage, and the Technics was the first quality direct-drive turntable that a penurious college student could afford. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 There are resentful relatives, penurious relatives, conniving relatives, no relatives, and loved ones denied input because they are not related. Dan Barry, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for penurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penurious
Adjective
  • China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.
    Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence as migrants from poor nations like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi generally end up settling in impoverished communities in South Africa where unemployment and frustrations are high.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • Dreesen moved to Los Angeles, living on $1 a day and hitchhiking to The Comedy Store, begging for a set and bonding with other impoverished comedians.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • The article emphasizes that securing one's own financial future isn't selfish but essential to avoid becoming a future burden.
    Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Experts emphasize that self-care is not selfish.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Rebecca Lowe joins Dan Patrick to discuss some of the top storylines around the World Cup, including Cristiano Ronaldo's poor play to start, the United States' potential and more.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Will the gap between rural and urban America – and the gap between rich and poor America – decline or grow?
    Arthur Cosby, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Nature with its blind eyes and greedy fingers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 June 2026
  • At his sentencing in 2024, Bailyn, the prosecutor, described Lorquet as a greedy criminal who fleeced his country at one of its weakest moments in history.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Three years into his term, America wasn't broke, but the stock market did experience some of its biggest single-day losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
    Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
  • This week, Knicks fans had a big win after a big loss; fans of inflation were delighted and World Cup fans went broke.
    Holly J. Morris, NPR, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Suzanne’s ungenerous view of herself is one of many misperceptions that will be overturned—some gently, some not.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
  • Here’s the resulting exchange: RC Women writers frequently adopt a tone or an attitude toward their female characters which is somewhat negative and ungenerous.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Traumatized into silence, the de facto orphan stays living with the kindly but guilt-ridden, grieving and impecunious Hiroshi.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Since then, it has been performed across much of the world, being ideally suited to these impecunious times and very masterfully written.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Penurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penurious. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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