SPARE Synonyms: 308 Similar and Opposite Words

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

spare 1 of 3

verb

Definition of spare

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spare

2 of 3

adjective

ˈsper

as in extra

being over what is needed I had some spare time to kill, so I cleaned up my cubicle a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careful

giving or sharing as little as possible a man who is kind and gentle but definitely spare of speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thin

having a noticeably small amount of body fat a tall, spare man

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable spare vegetation that made foraging very difficult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Judi Dench spared herself from the final version of the Cats movie. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 At the same time, Henderson had his own explanation for why he’d been spared. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Enter VoteBnB, a nonprofit website that connects people willing to offer spare rooms, car-sharing, or organized transport. — Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Working again with the vast Northeastern producer group $$$–almost all of whom are individually credited on, like, every track–Bank$ and his preacher friend talk to God over spare keys and groaning nautical machinery. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Noun

As for the 15 handicap, their biggest fear would be losing both golf balls and having to embarrassingly ask their playing partner for a spare. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Temporary spares are narrower, lighter, and made with less tread than standard tires. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spare

Verb

For one, most victims do not trust the justice system, which leads to scant reporting.

— Lenore Anderson, ELLE, 7 Nov. 2022
There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas.

— Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022

Definition of scant

Verb

Yes, but this doesn’t save a business from the compliance nightmare.

— Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of save

Adjective

While Milwaukee started with its ace, Tampa Bay countered with Nick Martinez to give two-time All-Star pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta an extra day of rest.

— Steve Megaree, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
In Miami-Dade, apartment renters could find themselves on the hook for an extra $291 per year to pay off their landlords’ higher property tax bills.

— Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

With fewer trainees at the start of the talent pipeline, organizations are likely to face a thinner shortlist for the CFO seat in the future.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The Rams are already thin at receiver in the wake of a hamstring injury suffered by Davante Adams during the Rams’ 18-16 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Dire situation in Oleshky Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months in Oleshky, which sits on the Dnipro River that separates Ukrainian forces from the city’s Russian occupiers.

— ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Huang said that the allocation of energy — which is scarce in the region — to companies like Nebius and Mistral is crucial for their growth.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

Noun

Ohio State could still beat USC on the road, even with a backup, considering the Trojans' struggles to win big games under Riley and their suffocating defense.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The team’s 2026 fortunes now rest in the hands of career backup Tanner McKee, a sixth-round 2023 draft pick.

— David K. Li, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of backup

Verb

That includes the 30x30 program to conserve 30% of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030, advanced protections for wetlands and new efforts to rein in the use of harmful pesticides and single-use plastic.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
In many cases, states have had to step up, putting more resources into conserving the habitats and species within their borders, and ballot measures can help shape those decisions.

— Neel Dhanesha, Vox, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of conserve

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“Spare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spare. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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