1
as in conserves
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 saves
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
as in substitutes
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spares
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
That spares lawmakers any real costs right away, but the upcoming holiday weekend might dog them at home with their neighbors.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Sandy congratulates both Josh and the interior department and spares some words of encouragement for the deck team.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Add an eye-catching swivel chair to your den, get organized with entryway benches and office shelving, or get your dining room ready for dinner parties with a wood table that spares room for guests.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Where many of Krishna’s battles end in death for the aggressor, this story is remarkable for its mercy—Krishna spares Kaliya after the snake’s wives and children emerge from the pond to plead on his behalf.
—Seamus Sullivan
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
This night light spares no features.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2025
Welcome to eclipse season, where the cosmos spares no one and nothing stays the same.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
To solve this problem, materials scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have concocted a new sunscreen recipe that spares the ocean’s vital microorganisms.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025
Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Something around the house is always in need of new batteries, and the junk drawer can be a good place to keep the spares.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
The Dutch driver likely purchased the car at its full price of approximately $475,000, along with an additional set of wheels and a package of spares.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Grey estimated that spares of the crucial modules might add another 10 percent to the space station’s cost.
—Trudy E. Bell, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2016
Verb
This is precisely the case with Garnier’s All-in-1 Micellar Cleansing Water, which spares you from having to rub at your face or use water to rinse off a cleanser.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
That spares lawmakers any real costs right away, but the upcoming holiday weekend might dog them at home with their neighbors.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Sandy congratulates both Josh and the interior department and spares some words of encouragement for the deck team.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Add an eye-catching swivel chair to your den, get organized with entryway benches and office shelving, or get your dining room ready for dinner parties with a wood table that spares room for guests.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Where many of Krishna’s battles end in death for the aggressor, this story is remarkable for its mercy—Krishna spares Kaliya after the snake’s wives and children emerge from the pond to plead on his behalf.
—Seamus Sullivan
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
This night light spares no features.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2025
Welcome to eclipse season, where the cosmos spares no one and nothing stays the same.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
To solve this problem, materials scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have concocted a new sunscreen recipe that spares the ocean’s vital microorganisms.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Furthermore, all items containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries, along with spares or uninstalled batteries, belong in carry-on baggage, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Something around the house is always in need of new batteries, and the junk drawer can be a good place to keep the spares.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
The Dutch driver likely purchased the car at its full price of approximately $475,000, along with an additional set of wheels and a package of spares.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Grey estimated that spares of the crucial modules might add another 10 percent to the space station’s cost.
—Trudy E. Bell, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spares
Verb
-
Blowing a whistle, instead of yelling, also conserves energy.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The resort runs on 100% green power, has reduced its carbon footprint by 46%, and conserves millions of liters of water annually through advanced recycling and reduction measures.—
Ashlee Marie Preston,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This simple practice keeps food waste down and saves you money over time.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The good news is that there are safer substitutes that can be used by the industry as more manufacturers move to reduce toxins, Glass said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
But high-tech substitutes aren't ready.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This historic town is also close to Serra d’Irta National Park, which preserves a coastal mountain range of the same name.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The firm’s post-weave colorization system preserves the authentic look, feel, and durability of conventional denim while drastically reducing environmental impact.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Accessories like panniers, a trailer, a phone holder, and rear-view mirrors are also available as optional extras.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Honorees are announced prior to events, and optional extras — such as gala attendance or commemorative items — are available but not required.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The 49ers need replacements to step up to keep pace in the division.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The Irish don’t have like-for-like replacements for Craig or Rubio, which leaves Freeman scrambling to stabilize an offensive line yet to click and a defensive interior that has tried to use quantity to make up for a lack of quality.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The longer the shutdown lasts, the greater the risk of cargo backups at these Texas ports due to unpaid employees calling in sick.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Minott, Garza and Boucher are career backups, and Gonzalez is a 19-year-old rookie.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Feeding San Diego plans to dip into reserves if necessary to meet the higher demand with SNAP delays.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Pristine Greenland is potentially home to one of the world’s largest oilfield reserves.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spares. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share