as in economical
careful in the management of money or resources
a scrimping homemaker
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in saving
careful management of material resources
she had grown tired of scrimping and was glad to finally have a job with a decent paycheck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in conserving
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
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 scrimping
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 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
Racing became a way of life, traveling the Midwest and scrimping together money for fuel and parts.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Now, after scrimping, saving and planning, our dream trip is finally happening.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 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
Noun
Analysts say the billowing scent of hot dogs that emanates daily from the warehouse food court is a constant reminder of Costco’s commitment to delivering value at a time when American shoppers are fed up with nosebleed prices and constant scrimping.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
Embracing a back-to-safari-basics approach, Enduata aims to focus on what’s important without scrimping on comfort.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 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
Racing became a way of life, traveling the Midwest and scrimping together money for fuel and parts.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Now, after scrimping, saving and planning, our dream trip is finally happening.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimping
Adjective
-
This is not just to protect your home from a fire hazard or water damage, but to conserve energy and be more economical as well.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
-
The Iron Dome is designed to be an economical way to intercept short-range missiles and drones, a capability the UAE largely lacks.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The classic Feldstein-Horioka puzzle asked why domestic saving and investment remained closely linked despite open capital markets.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
But because the Trump plan is based on voluntary participation – Congressional authority is likely needed for anyone to be automatically enrolled – the number of workers likely to see their retirement savings go up as a result could be much lower than Morningstar’s estimate.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People are encouraged to prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking or riding a bicycle, taking lunch to work, avoiding drive-thru lanes, conserving energy, and keeping vehicles properly tuned.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Both groups’ standards include conserving water, wildlife and biodiversity as well as compliance with applicable forestry laws to keep ecosystems healthy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The latest impasse leaves the ceasefire between the two sides in an increasingly uncertain place as the global economy gets hit by the war’s impact on trade.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
The rapid rise of microdramas, short-form storytelling, and creator economies is on Zon’s radar, particularly given Indonesia’s position as one of Asia’s most dynamic digital markets.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In short, economizing on non-defense outlays simply has to bring mandatory spending under review.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In short, economizing on non-defense outlays simply has to bring mandatory spending under review.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These are not women who just help get their grandkids ready for school in the morning or watch them on a Saturday night; these are women who have chosen to become parents again, sparing their grandchildren from life in the foster system.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The concentrated ultrasound energy is able to kill the diseased tissues by raising their temperature, while sparing the healthy parts nearby.—
Maggie Ryan,
Flow Space,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrimping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimping. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
