Definition of stingynext
1
2

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 Although little consolation, the Quakes’ two goals were impressive considering the stingy Sounders have permitted just six goals in MLS play this season. Jon Becker, Mercury News, 14 May 2026 At its base is 63% Hippophae rhamnoides (more commonly known as sea buckthorn) water, rich in naturally occurring antioxidants, paired with 5% niacinamide and 2% tranexamic acid to target dullness and dark spots without feeling stingy like a peel. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for stingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stingy
Adjective
  • Koenig’s former Yankees teammates were contemptuous of that miserly decision.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • The film is set in Mumbai and built around a miserly protagonist whose circumstances spiral into escalating absurdity.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Visible traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains sparse, estimated at just 15% of pre-war levels, according to JPMorgan.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Travelers should prepare for extreme desert conditions, limited services, and sparse cell coverage, especially during warmer months.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • Her personality has always been difficult, noncollaborative, selfish and demanding.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
  • Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Castine, Maine Pristine sandy beaches like Wadsworth Cove might be scarce in this small waterfront village, but Castine makes up for it with a rich seafaring history and plentiful water activities.
    Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
  • Because the statewide law was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic and housing construction has been slow and more expensive ever since, data is scarce about whether the reforms are making headway on their lofty housing, transit and pollution goals.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Democratic Party was being greedy.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
  • So perhaps there will be a Season 8, though with two unaired seasons still to come later this year and next, asking for more feels greedy.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The second didn’t go nearly as well for Bussi as Karlsson and Howden scored on two of the Golden Knights’ six shots in the period to tie the score at 3-3 heading into the third, the tying goal coming off a Seth Jarvis turnover and a couple of poor defensive plays by Sean Walker and K’Andre Miller.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 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
  • This is the most parsimonious way to account for the unified nature of consciousness, according to subcorticalists.
    Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 28 May 2026
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stingy. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on stingy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster