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
Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
YouTube continues to be a dominant force in advertising and entertainment, but the disruption from generative artificial intelligence spares no company.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
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
IEEE Spectrum, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
The Justice Department has said a trial risks a jury verdict that spares Boeing from further punishment.
—Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
YouTube continues to be a dominant force in advertising and entertainment, but the disruption from generative artificial intelligence spares no company.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
Probably requires at least splash resistant hands (or a whole bunch of spares).
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spares
Verb
-
The new approach offers a dual solution that simultaneously conserves agricultural resources and produces a biodegradable alternative to address landfill waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The sensor also conserves battery to ensure a long range.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And after the bailout saves them, the couple doubles down, still chasing the fantasy of Versailles even as the guillotine sharpens.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While modern battlefield medicine saves more lives than ever, doctors continue to struggle with the damage that follows once bleeding is controlled.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Both coffee and tea can also serve as healthier substitutes for other drinks too.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The good feelings left by Saturday’s home display against Valencia, a 4-0 victory that preserves Madrid’s five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Through it all, the specifically colloquial quality of the dialogue and the delivery of the vivacious voice cast preserves the film’s Mexican identity.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Thoughtful extras include thumbholes to keep sleeves in place, an elastic zipper pull that doubles as an emergency hair tie, and a locker loop for easy hanging.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In terms of the AI terms put into the last contract, particularly for the backgrounds and extras.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But the replacements are still made of complex materials that include additives like colorants; the chemicals can react in ways the companies may not intend or understand, Boucher says.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Nittany Lions considered possible replacements from the Big Ten early in the search.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Tangem Wallet allows users to add extra cards as hardware backups, so the user’s private key is redundantly stored across identical secure elements with no mnemonic to hide, copy, or accidentally leak.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
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,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Carefree can afford to lose its NIA water without resorting to groundwater reserves, according to Crane, but cuts in its M&I water could force the town to draw on its savings.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Institute for the Study of War think tank suggested that Russia is unlikely to have the reserves to exploit Pokrovsk's potential fall to advance rapidly to seize more of the Donbas region.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spares. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share