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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 scrimp
The Premier League, too, does not scrimp on its legal representation.
—
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The power went out intermittently, and families scrimped to get enough food.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Far from the envy of the world, Britain has been scrimping by spending 37 billion pounds ($53 billion) on the health services each year, well below Germany, France and Australia, a landmark review found last year.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Kang Ha-neul plays a young man who has been scrimping and saving his whole life to buy his own apartment, only to discover that living so close to strangers brings its own problems.
—PC Magazine, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrimp
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The power went out intermittently, and families scrimped to get enough food.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Far from the envy of the world, Britain has been scrimping by spending 37 billion pounds ($53 billion) on the health services each year, well below Germany, France and Australia, a landmark review found last year.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Kang Ha-neul plays a young man who has been scrimping and saving his whole life to buy his own apartment, only to discover that living so close to strangers brings its own problems.
—PC Magazine, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrimp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimp
Verb
-
Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
After first responders tried to save her at the scene, she was taken to Hennepin Healthcare and pronounced dead.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One way to economize in retirement is to find a state with a lower cost of living.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Months later, with his job search going nowhere, Man-su and his wife, Lee Mi-ri (Son Ye-jin), are forced to economize.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Recycling nationwide is responsible for more than 680,000 jobs, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by keeping more than 190 million metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the air, according to the EPA.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In exchange, the people agreed to conserve 5,000 hectares of forest.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The southern part of the state is expected to be spared the brunt of the storm, but officials warn that extreme cold still poses a risk to residents.—
Anusha Mathur,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2026
-
No corner of Indiana will be spared from the winter storm making its way across the country from Texas to the east coast in the days ahead, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are predicting.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For faux versions, don't skimp out.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
-
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Meta traditionally announces new Quest VR headsets during its annual Connect conference in the fall, but in 2025, the company skimped on VR hardware.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrimp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimp. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
