1
as in economical
careful in the management of money or resources
a sparing couple who are trying to save up enough for a house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a government agency that has always been sparing of public information
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
unfortunately, the explanation of the health insurance plan was somewhat sparing on details
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in conserving
to use or give out in stingy amounts
I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in saving
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparing
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
But the smile is now more sparing, at least on camera.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Regeneron's offering is intended to combine weight loss while sparing muscle.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Typhus can be distinguished from other fevers by a combination of high fever, severe headache, and a rash that begins on the trunk and spreads outward, typically sparing the face, palms, and soles, the Cleveland Clinic said.
—Don Sweeney
april 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Andres’ attorneys had presented final arguments and evidence in the hopes of sparing Andres from execution.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Quarter is the technical term for sparing the lives of enemies who have surrendered.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
At God’s instruction Moses stretches out his staff and brings about hailstorms that kill unprotected livestock, crops, and humans alike throughout Egypt, while sparing Goshen.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The $90 million settlement proposed last fall covers roughly 180 lawsuits related to that crew, sparing the city the expense of litigating those claims one by one.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiation treatment that delivers a highly precise dose to the tumor, sparing the surrounding tissue and thus reducing side effects.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In other cases, the redactions were more sparing.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
But the smile is now more sparing, at least on camera.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Verb
During Thursday’s opening round, Xander Schauffele’s tee shot on Hole 8 landed in a spectator’s shopping bag, sparing him from the pine straw and a difficult recovery.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Regeneron's offering is intended to combine weight loss while sparing muscle.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Typhus can be distinguished from other fevers by a combination of high fever, severe headache, and a rash that begins on the trunk and spreads outward, typically sparing the face, palms, and soles, the Cleveland Clinic said.
—Don Sweeney
april 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Andres’ attorneys had presented final arguments and evidence in the hopes of sparing Andres from execution.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Quarter is the technical term for sparing the lives of enemies who have surrendered.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
At God’s instruction Moses stretches out his staff and brings about hailstorms that kill unprotected livestock, crops, and humans alike throughout Egypt, while sparing Goshen.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The $90 million settlement proposed last fall covers roughly 180 lawsuits related to that crew, sparing the city the expense of litigating those claims one by one.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiation treatment that delivers a highly precise dose to the tumor, sparing the surrounding tissue and thus reducing side effects.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Using expensive missiles against cheap drones has been a major concern in recent conflicts, pushing militaries to seek more economical solutions.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Experts have expressed deep concern over the economical impact the turmoil in the Strait has had thus far.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This requires careful monitoring of key parameters such as sugar and acidity from veraison through to harvest.—
Maureen Mackey , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Somewhere within him is the spirit of the patriotic teenager and the careful lower-court judge who rejected any notion of party loyalty or judicial agenda.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The key detail here is planting density — sparse marigold plantings may still offer benefits, but thick clusters can backfire.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But in the United States, the only reliable access to CAR-T for those patients comes through sparse clinical trials.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Researchers are now conserving and studying the artifacts before going on display at the nearby Laténium Archaeology Park and Museum, Switzerland's largest archaeological museum.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Always be conserving Without access to Venezuelan oil, Americans would be paying higher prices at the pump, according to the Chevron exec.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sara Doody Mid-Century Lift-Top Coffee Table Apartment dwellers will love this space-saving coffee table with a convenient lift-top that doubles as a kitchen table and work desk.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That same year, he was awarded the commissioner’s unit citation for saving the lives of multiple residents during a six-alarm fire, the mayor’s office said.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, the dispatcher works on alerting one of the 17 closest fire stations.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
European and Asian allies, cut out of decision-making before the war began, have been left competing with one another for scarce energy deliveries, with some turning to America's adversaries for supplies.—
Eyck Freymann,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Since this is a scarce resource, most NICUs reserve it for the smallest preterm newborns and cannot provide it throughout an infant’s entire hospital stay.—
Alexander Crider,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The renovation remains closely aligned with the home’s original character, preserving its architectural integrity while layering in thoughtful updates.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Ocracoke Foundation’s vision was to use the square project as a model for how rural communities can put historical assets to work while also preserving them.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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