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
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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
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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
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays – Perhaps the most economical buy among available pitchers is this terrific closer, a steal at $3.82 million (with an $8 million club option or $1 million buyout for next year).—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
Although the Hornets could benefit from having him around again, his economical contract expires next summer and can be also used in a trade.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
-
However, later in the day, be careful about jumping to conclusions when dealing with others.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Berrios, Cracraft and Dubose were sparse contributors last season because of injuries and the fact Malik Washington emerged as Miami’s slot receiver and primary returner.—
Omar Kelly
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
-
At a tournament where much of the focus has been on sparse attendances, Madrid have got bigger crowds than anyone, drawing an average of 67,247.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
In 1980, voters overwhelmingly chose Reagan’s sunny optimism over Carter’s gloomy warnings about cutting back and conserving.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Addressing these inefficiencies through sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, energy audits and waste-to-energy solutions is crucial to reducing the global carbon footprint, conserving resources, and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Even though Buxton learned he’d been invited Sunday, and Ryan and closer Jhoan Duran were snubbed, Baldelli waited several days to announce the center fielder’s participation to the team.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
One of those options is St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
But for most people real human attention is scarce.—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Longevity Delivers More Than Health These stories prove what’s possible, even when resources are scarce.—
Sylvana Quader Sinha,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Turkey has emerged as a key broker in the Black Sea region, preserving relations with both Ukraine and Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
-
By preserving the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, solventless concentrates offer a richer flavor and potentially more robust effects.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But with Guardiola on a mission to trim his squad down to a size that will not leave half a dozen spare parts every weekend, Gundogan has been one of the players whose future has been the subject of speculation.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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Russia's aviation sector is short of spare parts and Russian Railways, the country's largest employer, is grappling with soaring interest costs as high rates - needed to curb higher inflation exacerbated by the war - take their toll.—
Gleb Stolyarov,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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