Thesaurus

spare

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of spare

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 to use or give out in stingy amounts

I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream

Synonyms for spare

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2 to avoid unnecessary waste or expense

she had grown up during the Great Depression, so she was no stranger to sparing

Synonyms for spare

Words Related to spare

scrape

hoard,
lay up

Phrases Synonymous with spare

pinch pennies

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splurge

Antonyms for spare

waste

spare

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of spare (Entry 2 of 3)

1 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 giving or sharing as little as possible

a man who is kind and gentle but definitely spare of speech

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inhospitable

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Antonyms for spare

3 having a noticeably small amount of body fat

a tall, spare man

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flabby,
soft

Antonyms for spare

4 less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

spare vegetation that made foraging very difficult

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Phrases Synonymous with spare

thin on the ground

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Antonyms for spare

spare

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of spare (Entry 3 of 3)

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 for spare

Words Related to spare

stock

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Frequently Asked Questions About spare

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