Definition of stingynext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stingy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stingy are close, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, and penurious. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

When could close be used to replace stingy?

The words close and stingy can be used in similar contexts, but close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When might miserly be a better fit than stingy?

The words miserly and stingy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When is niggardly a more appropriate choice than stingy?

In some situations, the words niggardly and stingy are roughly equivalent. However, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When would parsimonious be a good substitute for stingy?

While the synonyms parsimonious and stingy are close in meaning, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

Where would penurious be a reasonable alternative to stingy?

While in some cases nearly identical to stingy, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stingy Luxury sweets may cost a pretty penny, but giving your host a free pass to be a bit stingy with them? Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 All seven games were decided by a goal, and four went to overtime, with the stingiest of netminders at both ends. Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026 The Avalanche, who surrendered the fewest goals in the regular season, jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the almost-as-stingy Wild less than seven minutes into the game only to have to sweat it out and forge a comeback themselves after Minnesota scored five of the next six goals. ABC News, 4 May 2026 Colorado was stingy defensively in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings and won a pair of 2-1 games. Peter Baugh, New York Times, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for stingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stingy
Adjective
  • The film is set in Mumbai and built around a miserly protagonist whose circumstances spiral into escalating absurdity.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
  • UConn’s offense hasn’t been nearly as prolific, averaging 73.2 points per game, although its D has been downright miserly.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Apr. 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
Adjective
  • My young and selfish self was not happy.
    Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, NPR, 10 May 2026
  • To do otherwise is neglectful and selfish.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 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
Adjective
  • Summers in Florida would not be so hot if lawmakers were not so greedy; developers not so persistent; if land and wildlife weren’t paved for roads, parking lots and housing developments.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
  • The bottom line is this World Cup’s bottom line comes with the tournament’s most expensive tickets ever the world’s most popular event collides with all-American capitalism at its greediest.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Harper opened a small dance studio, on Forty-sixth Street; business was poor until Bradley was hired and revamped Delroy’s act.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • Still vehicle electronics can be damaged from reverse polarity, poor or wrong connection points or voltage spikes from improper equipment.
    Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.
    Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 May 2023
Adjective
  • What fraction visible at basically every U.S. gas station originated as a parsimonious response to a 1932 one-penny gas tax?
    Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The financial rewards accrued from streaming and downloading have been parsimonious.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stingy. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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