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
• foresightful
• pinching
• mean
• penny-pinching
• tight
• 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

Meanwhile, someone might have advice about how to be thrifty. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 July 2025

The utilities sub-component was off -2.9% (was this weather, or a thriftier consumer?), machinery -1.0%, construction supplies (-0.7%) and even the production of consumer goods was off (-0.2%). —Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The movie was made for a thrifty $25M, 50% co-financed by Sony Pictures, and dealt with a production pause due to the strikes. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025

The Dell Inspiron 15 and the Asus Vivobook Go 15 are two other thrifty AMD laptops. —PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025