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
The Day After Former officials and observers say there is scant evidence of any political planning for what would come next if Maduro is removed from power. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 The initial claim from Nebraska was scant on details about how much water is being shorted to Nebraska users. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 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
  • Jessica Knackert, a Milwaukee wildlife educator and biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said one reason is that foliage where coyotes like to conceal themselves becomes sparse at this time of year, as trees lose their leaves and snow starts to fall.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Carson crafts a sparse and reflective modern reimagining that deals with abuse, love and ultimately growth into adulthood.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But the family portraits, excluded from the exhibition because of their Jewish heritage, were separated and ultimately spared.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Earlier this year, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, a graveyard was spared by the fire that sent thousands of Los Angeles residents fleeing into the coal-black night.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Thrombectomy is the gold-standard treatment for major vessel blockages, but access remains scarce.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Palestinians are now returning to destroyed city blocks, where services are scarce, and access to water, food, and electricity is limited.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Mulch the root zone to conserve soil moisture.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In an effort to test its ability to conserve water, the city attempted to give up 7,000 acre-feet of water per year between 2023 and 2025 (the city received payment from the federal government in exchange).
    Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025
  • However, the successful samples have largely been collected from dark caves or other cold and stable environments where DNA is preserved particularly well.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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