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
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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
Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The concentrated ultrasound energy is able to kill the diseased tissues by raising their temperature, while sparing the healthy parts nearby.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 May 2026
Danske Bank, the country’s biggest bank, also credits the firm as sparing Denmark’s economy from recession that year.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Strong words, reflective of how the Ryces faced tragedy from the start, without sparing themselves and without blaming each other.
—Amy Driscoll, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
More likely, the Nuggets will run plenty of sets with him coming off pin-downs and other screens to catch in the flow of their half-court offense, sparing him from the burden of initiating every possession.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Diaz then sat down, sparing the Mets from what would have been a punch to the gut.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
This, proponents said, would flag cases where parents might be removing children from school for malicious reasons while sparing those who have done nothing wrong.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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
These are not women who just help get their grandkids ready for school in the morning or watch them on a Saturday night; these are women who have chosen to become parents again, sparing their grandchildren from life in the foster system.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The concentrated ultrasound energy is able to kill the diseased tissues by raising their temperature, while sparing the healthy parts nearby.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 May 2026
Danske Bank, the country’s biggest bank, also credits the firm as sparing Denmark’s economy from recession that year.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Strong words, reflective of how the Ryces faced tragedy from the start, without sparing themselves and without blaming each other.
—Amy Driscoll, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
More likely, the Nuggets will run plenty of sets with him coming off pin-downs and other screens to catch in the flow of their half-court offense, sparing him from the burden of initiating every possession.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Diaz then sat down, sparing the Mets from what would have been a punch to the gut.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
This, proponents said, would flag cases where parents might be removing children from school for malicious reasons while sparing those who have done nothing wrong.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
This is not just to protect your home from a fire hazard or water damage, but to conserve energy and be more economical as well.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
-
The Iron Dome is designed to be an economical way to intercept short-range missiles and drones, a capability the UAE largely lacks.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The tunnel was built after careful planning and executed with tremendous effort.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The federal government keeps details sparse about what happens in its detention centers.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
When the center-field video board showed the announcement, loud boos rang out from the sparse crowd braving elements.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
People are encouraged to prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking or riding a bicycle, taking lunch to work, avoiding drive-thru lanes, conserving energy, and keeping vehicles properly tuned.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Both groups’ standards include conserving water, wildlife and biodiversity as well as compliance with applicable forestry laws to keep ecosystems healthy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
But state lawmakers can finally pass this legislation, and start saving families tax dollars while protecting our health and our environment.—
Justin Sanchez,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
The actually unspeakable bit is whether women’s access to education and the job market should be restricted, in the name of producing more babies and saving civilization.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sources close to Canvot, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have told The Athletic that the message from Glasner after that error was simple.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
López was one of the fiercest critics of then-Mayor Fúnez, a supporter of the mine and close ally of Honduras’ former president, Xiomara Castro.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
What Foods Nesting Birds Need in Spring Black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, cracked corn, and wild bird seed mixes are commonly placed in backyard bird feeders to feed birds in winter when other food sources are scarce.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
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Most easily accessible by shelling tours or boat tours, Ten Thousand Islands is a good place to find the scarce Junonia shell, known as the Jewel of Florida, along with whole sand dollars, Florida spiny jewel boxes, and lightning whelks.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Gary Stern, who served as general counsel of the National Archives for twenty-six years, collaborated with five Administrations—from Bill Clinton’s to Joe Biden’s—on preserving and releasing Presidential records.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
According to project materials, his approach focuses on preserving the relationship between the centuries-old timber structure and the surrounding natural landscape through the use of light, shadow, wood, and stone.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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