Synonyms of stingy

stingy

adjective

ˈstin-jē 

1

as in miserly

giving or sharing as little as possible

until his redemption, Ebenezer Scrooge is the classic example of a very stingy, heartless miser

Synonyms & Similar Words

• miserly
• selfish
• greedy
• tightfisted
• parsimonious
• tight
• ungenerous
• cheap
• close
• pinching
• penurious
• mean
• chintzy
• careful
• uncharitable
• desirous
• sparing
• mingy
• economical
• penny-pinching
• conserving
• spare
• stinting
• small
• thrifty
• frugal
• pinchpenny
• closefisted
• saving
• chary
• avaricious
• economizing
• covetous
• mercenary
• acquisitive
• shabby
• envious
• rapacious
• grudging
• itchy
• avid
• resentful
• begrudging
• sordid
• hoggish
• skimping
• grasping
• scrimping
• inhospitable
• coveting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• liberal
• charitable
• munificent
• bountiful
• bounteous
• openhanded
• unselfish
• altruistic
• unsparing
• unstinting
• selfless
• extravagant
• free
• lavish
• handsome
• benevolent
• overgenerous
• hospitable
• profuse
• philanthropic
• beneficent
• magnanimous
• kindly
• humanitarian
• freehanded
• compassionate
• wasteful
• openhearted
• profligate
• unthrifty
• spendthrift
• wasting
• prodigal
• good-hearted
• thriftless
• greathearted
• dissipating
• squandering
• splurging
• frittering

2

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

a stingy serving of mashed potatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of stingy

The Big Green Notebook loves this Jason Witten College Man of the Year finalist who started 28 games at middle linebacker for Indiana's stingy defense the last two years. —Bill Jones, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Cruz Azul, 0-2-0 all-time against LAFC, must outscore a stingy defensive unit by at least four goals over 90 minutes to buck the odds. —Josh Gross, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026

The Senate would slash that to $35 million, and the stingier House would defund the program entirely. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

The Fullerton softball team fell victim to the long ball and a stingy pitcher for Norco in the championship game of the Michelle Carew Classic on Saturday at Peralta Park. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026