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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
a stingy serving of mashed potatoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stingy
In his absence, the Patriots’ run defense has plummeted from the league’s stingiest to one of its worst.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Optimism bias could lead people to agree to unfavorable terms, as in the case of a woman who signed an especially stingy prenup.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
On the other end, Stanford’s stingy defense held the Ducks to making just 9-of-27 shots.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
This was supposed to be a game between two of the stingiest defensive teams in the country.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stingy
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Optimism bias could lead people to agree to unfavorable terms, as in the case of a woman who signed an especially stingy prenup.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
On the other end, Stanford’s stingy defense held the Ducks to making just 9-of-27 shots.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
This was supposed to be a game between two of the stingiest defensive teams in the country.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stingy
Adjective
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While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Depp will play the titular role of Ebenezer Scrooge, a misanthropic and miserly businessman in 19th century London who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future in an effort to save himself from an afterlife of torment.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jessica Knackert, a Milwaukee wildlife educator and biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said one reason is that foliage where coyotes like to conceal themselves becomes sparse at this time of year, as trees lose their leaves and snow starts to fall.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Carson crafts a sparse and reflective modern reimagining that deals with abuse, love and ultimately growth into adulthood.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Delivering presents and spreading good cheer is not selfish Scott’s idea of a high calling, although the prospect of working only one day a year has its enticements.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Sometimes those selfish people create progress.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Thrombectomy is the gold-standard treatment for major vessel blockages, but access remains scarce.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
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Palestinians are now returning to destroyed city blocks, where services are scarce, and access to water, food, and electricity is limited.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Carrey portrays Ebenezer Scrooge, a cantankerous, greedy old man visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him the error of his ways.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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The turning point in this contest, though, came when the Chiefs decided to get greedy on fourth-and-1 from their own 31-yard line.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Ministry of Environment blamed this year’s surge on a poor acorn harvest – which drove a similar spate of attacks in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.—
Margaret Talbot,
The New Yorker,
2 Oct. 2023
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Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
31 May 2023
Adjective
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Chelsea are famously parsimonious in the transfer market, after all.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
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Wimpy was a mild-mannered, soft-spoken, lazy, parsimonious, and utterly gluttonous hamburger-wolfing straight man to Popeye.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stingy. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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