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
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
As adults, his children—one of whom is an acclaimed songwriter—are careful with their words and sparing with the fillers.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Some argue that limited military action targeting the Revolutionary Guard and security infrastructure — while sparing civilians — may be the only remaining path to ending this authoritarian system.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Doing high-impact exercise on a very hard surface Building power with jumping exercises and plyometrics can support bone density and agility, sparing you from a life-altering fall.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026
The bill would require local governments to adopt ordinances allowing homeowners in single-family zones to construct accessory dwelling units by right, sparing them the usual bureaucratic hurdles, such as zoning hearings or special-use permits.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Caruso famously hired private firefighters to save his Palisades Village, successfully sparing it from the flames.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
He was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Both Stetina and Tafazoli are known for sparing little expense on the design of their restaurants, and Vulture and Dreamboat apparently were no exception.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 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
Despite boosting his across-the-board tariffs to 15 percent over the weekend, the president’s baseline tariff has kicked in at just 10 percent, sparing trading partners from the full weight of the duty burden that was threatened.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
As adults, his children—one of whom is an acclaimed songwriter—are careful with their words and sparing with the fillers.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Some argue that limited military action targeting the Revolutionary Guard and security infrastructure — while sparing civilians — may be the only remaining path to ending this authoritarian system.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Doing high-impact exercise on a very hard surface Building power with jumping exercises and plyometrics can support bone density and agility, sparing you from a life-altering fall.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026
The bill would require local governments to adopt ordinances allowing homeowners in single-family zones to construct accessory dwelling units by right, sparing them the usual bureaucratic hurdles, such as zoning hearings or special-use permits.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Caruso famously hired private firefighters to save his Palisades Village, successfully sparing it from the flames.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
He was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Both Stetina and Tafazoli are known for sparing little expense on the design of their restaurants, and Vulture and Dreamboat apparently were no exception.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Starting crops from seed and saving your own seeds is more economical than buying plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Miami will surely find some economical veteran options at the position in free agency, beginning March 9, but the core of the edge defender group will have to come through finds in the draft.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While other local luxury properties have embraced a desert-chic aesthetic (think neutral hues, sparse decor, minimalist design), Casa Cody has gone in its own direction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This styler has a pencil for spot-filling sparse brows and a soft spoolie for blending in product afterward.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Zack took the cue and led with Altadena’s sense of independence as a quality worth conserving.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This time, the World team only got a token 5-minute appearance from the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, in this case legitimately conserving himself while coming back from a hamstring injury.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
First responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Buried alive and seconds of air left — last week, in near-whiteout conditions, an advanced ski run at Palisades Tahoe in Northern California turned into a life-saving mission.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Visiting boats moor in the bay but keep to the far side, close enough to admire and distant enough to ignore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The senior got the final two outs, which kept the score close enough for the Hawks to tie the score in their half of the fifth inning.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For working class voters with inflexible work schedules, limited transportation and scarce childcare, adding a document requirement is not a neutral inconvenience.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
In areas of intense fighting — especially in Darfur — famine is spreading and food and basic supplies are scarce.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Architect and designer Tomoyuki Sakakida prioritized preserving the theater’s exterior.—
Leandra Beabout,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Keeping organized, detailed records of every qualified medical expense is essential for preserving this flexibility.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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