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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of spare
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
For years, American parents have been spared having to watch their kids die of the measles; in fact, up until this year, none had so in this country for a decade.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
Repairs are possible with a standard screwdriver and spare parts bought from Fairphone itself, plus the brand also offers video guides to talk you through how to make changes.
—PC Magazine, 4 July 2025
Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
There's also a stock of parts and spares, and a follow-up list of inventory in third-party warehouses that has had its value cut by 65% for the purpose of liquidation.
—New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spare
Verb
The guilty plea will spare him from the potential death penalty.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
For years, American parents have been spared having to watch their kids die of the measles; in fact, up until this year, none had so in this country for a decade.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
Adjective
The Dodgers replaced him at third base with spare parts – Kiké Hernandez (60 starts at third), Chris Taylor (15), Cavan Biggio (13) and Miguel Rojas (eight).
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
Repairs are possible with a standard screwdriver and spare parts bought from Fairphone itself, plus the brand also offers video guides to talk you through how to make changes.
—PC Magazine, 4 July 2025
Noun
There’s plenty of head room in both rows of seats and a spacious cargo compartment that offers features including a rubber mat, dog-friendly package and a neat underfloor compartment that creates space for a full-size spare — something serious off-roaders demand.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
There's also a stock of parts and spares, and a follow-up list of inventory in third-party warehouses that has had its value cut by 65% for the purpose of liquidation.
—New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spare
Verb
-
By scanting this complexity, Remnick leaves readers with a less than totally satisfying depiction of Obama's encounter with the world of black Chicago.—
Walter Russell Mead,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2010
-
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
Verb
-
According to The Vail Daily, volunteer rescuers across Colorado responded to at least four missions during June to save dogs.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside Online,
1 July 2025
-
In the year 2025, when an ex-Packers great in Aaron Rodgers is trying to save Pittsburgh, this kind of a blockbuster swap would only be fitting.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Both could conceivably take PSG to extra time and/or PKs, where anything could happen.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
This foldable stool is easy to move and store for extra table space.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
If allowed, Andrew will likely bring further reputational damage to the monarchy at a time when the royal ship needs a careful steer.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
In reality, Israel overpowered Iran’s military and outwitted its intelligence with stunning efficiency, demonstrating years, if not decades, of careful preparation in under two weeks.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Series 10 is also thinner, lighter, easier to wear, and charges faster than previous models.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
12 July 2025
-
Often, the first real cracks appear in prime borrowers who were stretched thin, quietly falling behind while headlines focus on everything else.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Accurate data is scarce, given that members of groups rarely self-identify.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Dholes are dogs and communal hunters, typically traveling in packs of up to 30 animals but can hunt alone or in pairs when prey is scarce, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Most majors have a video review system as a backup to any close calls.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
If their current cash cow model is under threat, new ones should be developed as a backup.—
Zain Jaffer,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Without an economic reason to sustain wildlife populations, they won’t be conserved long-term through benevolence alone.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Keep up with watering and mulch to help conserve moisture.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spare. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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