Synonyms of sparse

sparse

adjective

ˈspärs 

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

open land is sparse around here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scarce
• scanty
• poor
• scant
• meager
• meagre
• skimpy
• lacking
• small
• insufficient
• lowest
• slender
• light
• inadequate
• short
• sparing
• stingy
• exiguous
• minimal
• spare
• slim
• thin on the ground
• hand-to-mouth
• mere
• deficient
• thin
• skimp
• niggardly
• least
• bare-bones
• sterile
• wanting
• slightest
• bare
• littlest
• barren
• slight
• unfruitful
• unproductive
• infertile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundant
• adequate
• ample
• sufficient
• plentiful
• copious
• generous
• satisfactory
• enough
• bountiful
• liberal
• rich
• tolerable
• fertile
• fruitful
• prolific
• fat
• plenteous
• lavish
• luxuriant
• extra
• fecund
• excess
• bursting
• flourishing
• thriving
• surplus
• proliferative
• teeming
• blooming
• swarming

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sparse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, and spare. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

When might meager be a better fit than sparse?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

In what contexts can scant take the place of sparse?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When is it sensible to use scanty instead of sparse?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When could skimpy be used to replace sparse?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to sparse?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparse

The images showed a space that looks like a sparse operating room with a gurney, fluorescent lighting, a floor drain and an adjacent viewing room. —CBS News, 20 May 2025

Based on these sparse scribbles, an established narrative of the Franklin expedition’s fate emerged: After abandoning their ships in 1848, the men embarked on an overland march south, hauling heavy sledges loaded with supplies alongside them. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025

It was rebuilt in 1997, and Arthur Ashe Stadium has started to show its age since then, especially with the tight concourses sparse on points of sale since original plans called for fans to visit the grounds between matches. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Clemens has already come through with three big homers in sparse playing time for the Twins, showing intriguing bat-speed improvement at age 29. —Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 19 May 2025