Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective skimpy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skimpy are meager, scanty, scant, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

In what contexts can meager take the place of skimpy?

The words meager and skimpy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When can scant be used instead of skimpy?

The words scant and skimpy can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might scanty be a better fit than skimpy?

The meanings of scanty and skimpy largely overlap; however, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When would spare be a good substitute for skimpy?

While in some cases nearly identical to skimpy, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When could sparse be used to replace skimpy?

While the synonyms sparse and skimpy are close in meaning, 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 skimpy There’s barely any focus on the workroom time and the actual designs of the contestants’ swimsuits (which are also largely cheap and skimpy). Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 Here, our favorite bedding is anything but skimpy—both on style and quality. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2025 Long fake nails, tattoos, bleach hair that has ruined her once lovely brunette, short tight clothes that are barely there, skimpy bathing suits. R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025 Why would automakers decide to take the financial hit, rather than pass the costs on to consumers through price hikes or skimpier incentives? Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skimpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimpy
Adjective
  • A couple of weeks before the opening there was a launch of the memoir at Skylight which had a very sparse attendance.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Indeed, Mamdani’s promise to focus on affordability seems to have resonated with the rank-and file industry workers at a time of sparse job opportunities and skyrocketing cost of living.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Few dentists remain open in Gaza, and the materials for braces are scarce.
    Ghada Abdulfattah, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Public housing gets a rebrand As a nationwide housing shortage keeps affordable options scarce, an old idea is getting a new look.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skimpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimpy. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skimpy

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