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
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
The Hunt family that owns the Chiefs can stop endangering Native American lives while also sparing audiences from this assault to our eyes and ears by manning up and changing the team’s name, just as the Washington Commanders did.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Even Putin, not known for sparing the blushes of supplicants, seems embarrassed on Erdogan’s behalf.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Starting Monday, Beijing is letting Indian citizens apply for visas online, sparing them from time-consuming, in-person office visits.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Naylor’s defense attorneys agreed to that recommendation, according to documents, thereby sparing Naylor the possibility of facing the death penalty.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025
After the verdict, defense attorney Lien Lafargue told reporters that the jurors made the right decision in sparing Banegas’ life.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
Coins occupy sparing yet evident moments throughout our lives.
—Seth T. Kannarr, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Party officials ultimately ruled that Chase failed to submit enough valid signatures to make the ballot, sparing Earle-Sears a costly fight, but exposing early fractures among Virginia Republicans.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
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
The discovery points to a potential new class of drug targets that could selectively disrupt cancer growth while sparing healthy tissue.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
The Hunt family that owns the Chiefs can stop endangering Native American lives while also sparing audiences from this assault to our eyes and ears by manning up and changing the team’s name, just as the Washington Commanders did.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Even Putin, not known for sparing the blushes of supplicants, seems embarrassed on Erdogan’s behalf.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Starting Monday, Beijing is letting Indian citizens apply for visas online, sparing them from time-consuming, in-person office visits.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Naylor’s defense attorneys agreed to that recommendation, according to documents, thereby sparing Naylor the possibility of facing the death penalty.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025
After the verdict, defense attorney Lien Lafargue told reporters that the jurors made the right decision in sparing Banegas’ life.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
Coins occupy sparing yet evident moments throughout our lives.
—Seth T. Kannarr, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Party officials ultimately ruled that Chase failed to submit enough valid signatures to make the ballot, sparing Earle-Sears a costly fight, but exposing early fractures among Virginia Republicans.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
The Sisterbird birdhouse two-pack is an economical option for native North Texas bird species.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
One economical approach is to get one humidifier for the room with the most plants in it, and move any other plants prone to dryness into the room for the winter months, if feasible.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Step by careful step, Holbrook climbed, holding out bologna and cheese until two pairs of cautious eyes peeked back.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even though the snow in the Rockies is sparse, Colorado ski-makers are still gearing up to sell the latest and greatest.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In a landscape where authenticity has become increasingly sparse, the rapper is proof that sometimes the best way to engage an audience is by simply being yourself.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This allows robots to use power for thrust when needed and deploy wings to glide when conserving battery.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The highway department will strategically apply salt to intersections, hills, bridges and curbs in subdivisions, but aim for conserving on other stretches of subdivision roads.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ten-year-olds are saving their allowances for $70 moisturizers and $90 serums, mimicking influencer routines meant for adults.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Cincinnati fire personnel attempted life-saving measures, but Spruill was determined to have died at the scene.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Traffic concerns remained a prominent theme of the more than 100 emails the city received in early December, but many people expressed excitement at the prospect of a closer Costco.—
Rose Evans
January 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The capacity for attention on books is so scarce, more so every year.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And the buildout is putting stress on local water resources that communities worry will cause shortages, with 160 new facilities located in areas with scarce supply, according to Bloomberg.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Preserving income, insurance and retirement Financial security also depends on preserving income and protecting loved ones.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Created during the prolific reign of Louis XIV, the Académie Française has played a significant role in shaping French culture, preserving and updating the country’s language, grammar and usage over time.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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