spares 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of spare
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

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2

spares

2 of 2

noun

plural of spare
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

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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 spares
Verb
As engagement-farming social-media accounts like Pop Base and celebrity-gossip accounts such as Deuxmoi still post frequent updates of celebrity sightings and speculation, the type of blanketing gossip press that Hilton introduced now spares no one. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026 The timing spares the Eagles and Carter from the questions and speculation that would have unfolded when training camp opened to the media Wednesday. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 July 2026 Senior dogs with arthritis or chronic pain also benefit because mobile service spares them the physical strain of travel. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 The move spares Rodriguez a punishing cut to 145 but drops him into the sport's deepest, most wrestling-heavy division. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The outcome spares officials the headache of changing their ballot rules just a few months before the 2026 midterm congressional elections. — Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 That move largely spares local governments budgetary hits that nonpartisan legislative analysts pegged between $2 billion to $3 billion annually. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 The taxpayers association refused, instead striking a deal with lawmakers to place an amendment on the ballot that raises the threshold for special taxes to two-thirds voter approval but spares existing taxes such as Measure ULA. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The exclusive course, which is financially supported by oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a Putin associate, spares no expense. — Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 18 June 2026
Noun
The yacht also comes with large tank capacities, space for spares and equipment, accessible systems, and a large garage, allowing seafarers to spend more time away from the shore. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026 The contracts cover alternators and regulators for the torpedo program and new MK19 Mod 2 air turbine pump assemblies for submarine spares, supporting the US Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities and fleet readiness. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 Temporary spares are narrower, lighter, and made with less tread than standard tires. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 The contract will procure spares for F-35 fighter jets and will deploy spare packages to the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, F-35 program partners and foreign military customers. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026 Stroll subsequently couldn’t participate in FP2 as the team did not have enough time to repair the damage and had to fly more spares out to Hungary from its UK factory. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 July 2026 Previously, another wrist joint was replaced and both of the arm's end effectors were swapped out for spares. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 30 June 2026 This doesn't see three Li-ion battery packs all connected at once for long-range riding, but rather provides a downtube pack plus two spares in a cage hanging from the rear rack. — Paul Ridden june 23, New Atlas, 23 June 2026 One good test would be to create a national Navy Battle Depot, directing the new PAEs to immediately procure and maintain a full ship set of spares for every major type and variant of vessel in service today, using advanced manufacturing (additive manufacturing and 3D printing) where possible. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spares
Verb
  • In Boise, a growing number of people have turned to xeriscaping in recent years, which is a type of landscaping that conserves water by using native or drought-tolerant plants, according to previous Statesman reporting.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This approach reduces development time, conserves resources, and quickly delivers new capabilities to the battlefield.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gretchen ends up surviving the movie, because Donnie goes back in time and saves her, but her future is left uncertain.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Make sure the offer actually saves you money after those conditions are included.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • A couple of substitutes helped change the tone in the second half.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Treat emerging technology and tools as amplifiers of trust, not substitutes for it.
    — Scott Murphy, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Eating produce that has gone through fewer steps of production preserves the flavor, health benefits and freshness, Anderson said, which is something low-income and Black communities have historically lacked access to.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Some wellness and longevity advocates claim that nicotine preserves cognitive function, slows biological aging or promotes longevity.
    — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Other thoughtful extras include Simmons Luxury Collection mattresses, traditional yukata hotel pajamas, and in-room massages available for an additional fee.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The sets have too many doors, the scenes have a delirious number of extras and the actors yell their lines over the distracting clatter of crackling fireplaces, beeping machines and ticking clocks.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That translates to significant savings in satellite servicing, eliminating the need to develop and launch replacements.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this week, Rolling Stone listed Laboriel among its top picks for possible replacements, noting his ferocious skills, friendship with Vedder, and his guest feature on the frontman’s 2022 solo LP, Earthling.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Forty-five came on the Chippewas’ final drive, a 12-play drive against Miami’s backups and ended with Jennings’ interception.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
  • And Beckham logged more snaps with the backups than the starters, giving him more time on task with Winston.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But expanding domestic and allied capacity to manufacture the most critical medicines and ingredients — and maintain adequate strategic reserves — would dramatically reduce China’s leverage in any future crisis.
    — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Newer venues typically hold about a year’s worth of debt service payments across multiple reserves.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spares. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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