Synonyms of scrimp

scrimp

verb

ˈskrimp 

as in to save

to avoid unnecessary waste or expense

had to scrimp and save for years in order to be able to afford a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• save
• economize
• conserve
• spare
• skimp
• manage
• preserve
• pinch
• scrape
• husband
• pinch pennies
• maintain
• cut down
• hoard
• retrench
• cut back
• lay up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waste
• spend
• squander
• lavish
• blow
• run through
• dissipate
• throw away
• misspend
• splurge
• fritter (away)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scrimp

The world-class training facility owes its existence to the dedication of a group of volunteers, who scrimped and saved for well over a decade to get their own curling space. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026

Absent better reverse mortgage options, this keeps retirees from spending a large share of their wealth, and means some are scrimping on their non-housing expenses. — Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

While administrations scrimped, the fleet aged. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

The Premier League, too, does not scrimp on its legal representation. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025