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
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Recent Examples of scrimp
To her, people who scrimped and saved and eked out a mean existence were as idiotic as people who got themselves into debt.
—
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Denzel Washington confronts photographer in tense moment at Cannes Film Festival
Watson did not scrimp in the glamour department for her 2013 Cannes debut either.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 May 2025
To The Boss: Don’t scrimp on leadership development—especially coaching.
—Tom Roberts, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
So Florida scrimps on everything from public schools to services with people with disabilities, ranking 49th in per capita government spending.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrimp
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Denzel Washington confronts photographer in tense moment at Cannes Film Festival
Watson did not scrimp in the glamour department for her 2013 Cannes debut either.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 May 2025
To The Boss: Don’t scrimp on leadership development—especially coaching.
—Tom Roberts, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
So Florida scrimps on everything from public schools to services with people with disabilities, ranking 49th in per capita government spending.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrimp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimp
Verb
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The Oscar winner, who plays a bus driver who tries to save 22 school children alongside a teacher named Mary (America Ferrera), ultimately agreed to put Levi on tape.—
Andrea Mandell,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
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Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credits while in high school, potentially saving money and time.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The system reduces emissions, noise, and vibration while economizing on fuel and maintenance costs.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Nonperishables that come in aluminum or steel cans — think beans, chickpeas, and soups — are typically thought of as a way for shoppers to economize.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
5 June 2025
Verb
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While the app is available and encouraged year-round, the week was a spotlight on the importance of joint effort when conserving the environment, Zirk said.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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This process protects trees by conserving water and nutrients through the winter months and preventing frost damage.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump could have faced up to four years in prison, but a judge issued an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction in place but sparing him any penalty or fine.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
24 Sep. 2025
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It’s also strongly rooted in Tulsa, with local color to spare, and maintains an oddball sense of humor, even in perilous situations.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Truly, skimping on this step will render everything else futile.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
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After months of diligently mowing, weeding, and watering your lawn through summer, don't be tempted to skimp on lawn care at the end of the season.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrimp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimp. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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