sparely

adverb

Definition of sparelynext
as in insufficiently

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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 sparely Maps show the location of the crash is sparely populated and the two-lane road has no street lighting. — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparely
  1. insufficiently
  2. meagerly
  3. scantily
  4. shabbily
  5. scantly
  6. miserably
Adverb
  • Internal pressure gave the missile its structural rigidity, meaning the vehicle could buckle if insufficiently pressurized.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Or… 2) Miami is insufficiently impressed and spends its likely very high 2027 first-round draft pick on a QB with the clear intent for the rookie to soon replace Willis.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of insufficiently
Adverb
  • Limón would like to see the state stop subsidizing corporations who pay so meagerly that their employees qualify for Medi-Cal.
    — Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
  • When opportunities arise, whether lowly paid or not, we’re often left with no other choice than to take the role that pays meagerly.
    — Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of meagerly
Adverb
  • In a series of photos and videos released Wednesday, Sweeney can be seen naked or scantily clad, holding American footballs, a tennis racket or a baseball bat.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The actress left little to the imagination in a provocative new campaign for Novig, posing nude or scantily clad alongside an array of sports equipment as the company promoted its sports-only approach.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of scantily
Adverb
  • Her fury at Helios employees being treated so shabbily is matched only by her disbelief at Ger and his crew’s recklessness in allowing the consoles monitoring and controlling all of Happy Valley’s life-support systems and communications with the Titan mission unstaffed.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Definition of shabbily
Adverb
  • But Korean pop music has scantly been recognized in the larger pop or general categories at the Grammys.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of scantly
Adverb
  • That failed miserably, and Malik Washington threw four interceptions when Maryland tried to pass.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The Cowboys’ roster revamp failed miserably in its debut against Tulsa.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of miserably

Browse Nearby Words

spared
sparely
spareness
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Cite this Entry

“Sparely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparely. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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