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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to save
to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
she had grown up during the Great Depression, so she was no stranger to sparing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in extra
being over what is needed
I had some spare time to kill, so I cleaned up my cubicle a bit
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2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a man who is kind and gentle but definitely spare of speech
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3
as in thin
having a noticeably small amount of body fat
a tall, spare man
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4
as in scarce
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
spare vegetation that made foraging very difficult
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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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spare
Chris Carroll,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
Two wins from two to open the tournament, into the knockouts with a game to spare for the first time in the program’s history, back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
As European automakers retrench in the face of Chinese competition, Chinese firms are taking over the spare factory space as a part of a stealth strategy to conquer global markets.
—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
White House officials defended the arrangement, arguing that donor anonymity is standard practice for major projects and that using private funds spares taxpayers.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spare
Verb
Every family spared the grief of addiction matters.
—
Chris Carroll,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
Two wins from two to open the tournament, into the knockouts with a game to spare for the first time in the program’s history, back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Adjective
With a 5-foot frame and curves to spare, it’s always been challenging to find flattering denim that fits my butt and thighs, as well as my waist.
—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
As European automakers retrench in the face of Chinese competition, Chinese firms are taking over the spare factory space as a part of a stealth strategy to conquer global markets.
—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Noun
And since no one expires from, say, cancer or other now-curable diseases, and bones and organs can be replaced like car parts with artificial spares, people only pass when involved in freak accidents…or take their own lives.
—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
White House officials defended the arrangement, arguing that donor anonymity is standard practice for major projects and that using private funds spares taxpayers.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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.
-
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.
Verb
-
Energy-saving tips, according to DTE DTE says high temperatures can result in a higher energy bill.
-
Scheffler missed the fairway, landing his drive on a hill along the right side, while Hovland’s was clean, save for some casual water.
Adjective
-
July 4th fireworks and celebrations hold extra meaning in 2026 as the United States celebrates the 250th birthday of the nation.
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As for oats, consider sneaking in some extra protein to round out their nutritional profile.
Adjective
-
Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.
-
Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI for mental health constitutes a global experiment with both potential benefits and serious downsides that require careful management.
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.
-
Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.
Adjective
-
Pools are scarce in the area, Haze noted, and the marketing leans into that rarity — especially when paired with immediate beach access.
-
With memory supply scarce and pricey, consumer electronics companies have spent the past six months pulling various levers to manage the situation, from reconfiguring product SKUs in order to reduce the bill of materials to reluctantly hiking prices.
Noun
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Rounding out the room is interior backup Mike Caliendo, whom Reid has often said the Chiefs view as a starter.
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But Castle brought backup this time, and Esposito (Jon Huertas) takes out Tyson through a window.
Verb
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Officials advised people to try conserving as much power as possible when the service was on, use surge protectors for valuable electronics, prepare emergency kits in the event of a fire and keep their refrigerators or freezers closed.
-
The Deschutes, like rivers across the country, is owned by the public, and taxpayers are spending big to conserve it.
Cite this Entry
“Spare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spare. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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