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
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
-
Here’s an economical idea for this World Cup.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
This highly economical approach enabled her to foreground editing techniques and video effects, as well as color and sound mixing.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The move, Lindon said, is careful.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
However, the Vaile Victorian Society, the volunteer group that maintains the house and runs tours, worries that once the house ceases to become a public property, the careful preservation work, which the aged property relies on, will be impossible to maintain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
When autonomous vehicle companies like Waymo first deployed their robotaxis on the streets of San Francisco, laws governing the new mode of transportation were sparse, as the city served as a testing ground for these robotaxis.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
And emergency shelter space is sparse in the county due to declining exit rates and a lack of beds.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
And conserving America’s natural beauty for future generations absolutely should not be controversial, either.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
For the first time since 2021, the City of Fort Collins is asking Northern Colorado residents to begin conserving water.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Aether enthusiasts contorted themselves in knots attempting to explain this null result while still saving the notion of the aether itself.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
-
Patrick Kestler, a gang expert who has been following Jones and Gorman throughout their storied rap careers, analyzing their lyrics, saving their Instagram posts, and even searching through Gorman’s phone after he was arrested last year on suspicion of possessing ammunition as a felon in Stockton.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Because the Celtics, provided they close-out the 76ers, have the kind of shooters the Hawks don’t.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Qatar could deepen its already close defense ties to Turkey, and China, which is close to Iran, could play a greater diplomatic role.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her time with him looked scarce.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
10 May 2026
-
Because in a market like Orange County, where land is scarce and regulation is tight, the highest and best use is not always the newest building or the most polished project.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Landon said that by preserving farmland and supporting local producers, Placer County can remain strong for generations to come.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
The museum started out collecting and preserving historical artifacts, which has grown to a 40,000-piece collection.—
Amanda Rosa
May 7,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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