spare 1 of 3

1
as in to scant
to use or give out in stingy amounts I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

spare

2 of 3

adjective

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spare

3 of 3

noun

as in backup
an interchangeable part or piece of equipment that is kept on hand for replacement of an original we promptly replaced the burnt-out lightbulb with a spare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective spare contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of spare are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, and skinny. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

When could gaunt be used to replace spare?

The words gaunt and spare are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than spare?

The meanings of lank and spare largely overlap; however, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When is it sensible to use lanky instead of spare?

In some situations, the words lanky and spare are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can lean be used instead of spare?

The synonyms lean and spare are sometimes interchangeable, but lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When would rawboned be a good substitute for spare?

The words rawboned and spare can be used in similar contexts, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of spare?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

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 spare
Verb
After a wholly inactive offseason outside of the draft, Golden State is bolstering its rotation with not a moment to spare until training camp. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 Where many of Krishna’s battles end in death for the aggressor, this story is remarkable for its mercy—Krishna spares Kaliya after the snake’s wives and children emerge from the pond to plead on his behalf. Seamus Sullivan september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The play, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter at the Hudson Theatre, received mixed reviews from critics for its spare staging and direction from Jamie Lloyd. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025 The perfect blend of slouchy yet structured, this roomy bag easily fits a laptop, book, wallet, and a spare layer for chilly evenings. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Silverado’s tires were inflated to their highest acceptable pressure for lower rolling resistance except for the spare, which was removed to lighten the load. Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025 But like the House bill, the Senate's draft budget directs NASA to continue ordering spares and long-lead parts for SLS and Orion missions beyond Artemis III. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spare
Verb
  • Trump captured attention his first time around, in part, by talking about issues that other candidates scanted: the threat of China, chaos at the southern border.
    NR Editors, National Review, 22 Dec. 2023
  • For each of the debaters, the session will provide an opportunity for attention that has scanted them during months dominated by news about Trump and his parade of indictments.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023
Verb
  • Blood is always poised and ready to clot, because the body sees this as a life-saving mechanism.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Is intuitive budgeting effective for saving money?
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But what puts the Porkers over the top is a deep lineup of players like twins Emily Hagan and Grace Hagan (both Temple lacrosse commits), who pack an extra dose of athleticism and competitiveness, with skills that translate from lacrosse.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Having this cause in my life gives me an extra way to connect with people and begin a dialogue on an important issue.
    Maureen Carrig, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Batteries without the filter lost power quickly, while batteries with the atom-thin filter retained almost all their capacity for more than 150 charge-discharge cycles.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Details on the deal were scarce, but the studio heads were enthusiastic about the new partnership.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Unfortunately, bargains are scarce in South End – even a quick lunch carries a premium.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Add-on options include computer coverage, sump pump backup coverage, and dwelling replacement coverage.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • However, Joe Flacco, who started the team's first four games, will remain the backup, leaving Sanders in his third-string role.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Iran can achieve that by abandoning water-hungry crops, shifting to smart farming, conserving every drop, and reviving flood-management techniques Iranians once mastered to recharge depleted aquifers.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Overwintering October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia plants benefit from a layer of mulch in winter to moderate soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spare. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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