sparse

adjective

ˈspärs How to pronounce sparse (audio)
sparser; sparsest
Synonyms of sparse
: of few and scattered elements
especially : not thickly grown or settled
sparsely adverb
sparseness noun
sparsity
ˈspär-sə-tē How to pronounce sparse (audio)
-stē
noun

Synonyms of sparse

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meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, sparse mean falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable.

meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

Examples of sparse in a Sentence

open land is sparse around here
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
His opportunities throughout training camp have been sparse; a good showing was welcomed. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 However, judging by the content of the minutes, specific details were sparse. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Representatives from Fort Worth’s Transportation and Public Works department told a sparse crowd that the hybrid option — returning the street to five lanes south of Allen — was the department’s ultimate recommendation. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 The album moves between sparse, drumless passages and enormous, low-end-heavy productions, between gospel, hip-hop, trap and atmospheric minimalism. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sparse

Word History

Etymology

Latin sparsus spread out, from past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sparse was in 1753

Rhymes for sparse

See All Rhymes for sparse

Browse Nearby Words

sparry limestone
sparse
sparsely
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Cite this Entry

“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparse. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sparse

adjective
ˈspärs How to pronounce sparse (audio)
sparser; sparsest
: of few and scattered elements
especially : not thickly grown or settled
sparsely adverb
sparseness noun
sparsity
ˈspär-sət-ē How to pronounce sparse (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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