Synonyms of thrifty

thrifty

adjective

ˈthrif-tē 

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources

if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economical
• economizing
• frugal
• saving
• prudent
• provident
• conserving
• sparing
• preserving
• cheap
• scrimping
• foresighted
• penny-wise
• parsimonious
• forehanded
• miserly
• tightfisted
• stingy
• spare
• penurious
• close
• pinching
• foresightful
• mean
• penny-pinching
• tight
• niggardly
• niggard
• closefisted
• stinting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wasteful
• spendthrift
• profligate
• unthrifty
• prodigal
• improvident
• generous
• liberal
• thriftless
• shortsighted
• charitable
• unselfish
• bountiful
• munificent
• squandering
• extravagant
• unsparing
• indulgent
• lavish
• openhanded
• freehanded

Synonym Chooser

How is the word thrifty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of thrifty are economical, frugal, and sparing. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

When is economical a more appropriate choice than thrifty?

Although the words economical and thrifty have much in common, economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

When can frugal be used instead of thrifty?

The meanings of frugal and thrifty largely overlap; however, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When would sparing be a good substitute for thrifty?

The words sparing and thrifty can be used in similar contexts, but sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thrifty

What started out as a thrifty practice has become an unofficial commandment of Southern kitchens—don't waste one drop of tasty bacon grease. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

Balancing Thrift and Pursuing Expensive Excitement The balance between being thrifty while seeking fun and adventure, has been playing out in the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, an event drawing thousands of young people to the California desert. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

This is no thrifty budget Blumhouse movie, rather two robotic women beating the crap out of each other. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025

The speaker is like the ant from Aesop’s fable, thrifty and responsible, willing to defer gratification until a more suitable time. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025