scant 1 of 2

scant

2 of 2

verb

as in to spare
to use or give out in stingy amounts don't scant the peanut butter on those sandwiches!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scant are meager, scanty, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," 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 is meager a more appropriate choice than scant?

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When could scanty be used to replace scant?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of scant?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 scant?

While in some cases nearly identical to scant, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When is it sensible to use sparse instead of scant?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but 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 scant
Adjective
But there is scant evidence that anything lasting has been achieved by all of this uncertainty. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 Specifics regarding the Air Jordan loafer mule are currently scant, but early information from leaker @EldenMonitors and overseas websites suggests the Black/Metallic Silver women’s exclusive colorway will arrive at retail before the end of the year. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
Verb
There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas. Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022 In most cases, the Electoral College vote is a mere formality that carries no drama and garners scant public attention. Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for scant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scant
Adjective
  • This is an area of space where gas in the interstellar medium is relatively sparse, with an overall low density.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 June 2025
  • Seek out tacit knowledge that is not documented anywhere or is sparse but will be key in driving successful autonomous decisions. 4.
    Lucas Persona, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Then there is the prodigious talent of Warren Zaire-Emery, 19, whose 23 Ligue 1 starts in the heart of PSG’s midfield were crucial to them winning the league title with six games to spare.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • Because after trading for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, New York no longer has draft capital to spare.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • High-Potential, Untapped Markets I’m inspired by what others ignore—those quiet gaps where attention is scarce but potential is high, like a niche market with growing demand but little innovation.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Aside from mining for lunar water, these efforts might involve the extraction of an isotope called helium-3, which is scarce on Earth but is in relatively large abundance on the moon.
    Julian Dossett, Space.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Or perhaps, given his age and the need to conserve his minutes somewhat during the regular season, the Leafs could opt to use him in a more depth role.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • This method not only produces high-quality buds but also improves soil health, conserves water, and sequesters carbon in the process.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • For Anthropic, the faster speed and lower cost of the destructive process appear to have trumped any need for preserving the physical books themselves.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
  • That principle has served the UK’s economy and culture for over 300 years, evolving through numerous updates, including international agreements, and adapting to new technologies while preserving its core spirit.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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