SCANT Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'scant' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scant are meager , scanty , skimpy , spare , and sparse . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential. // in January the daylight hours are scant

Q: When is 'meager' a more appropriate choice than 'scant'?

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. // a meager portion of meat

Q: When could 'scanty' be used to replace 'scant'?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When can 'skimpy' be used instead of 'scant'?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: When might 'spare' be a better fit than 'scant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scant , spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sparse' instead of 'scant'?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

scant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskant

Definition of scant

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable jobs for teenagers were scant that summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scant

2 of 2

verb

as in to spare

to use or give out in stingy amounts don't scant the peanut butter on those sandwiches!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective scant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scant are meager, scanty, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When is meager a more appropriate choice than scant?

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When could scanty be used to replace scant?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of scant?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When might spare be a better fit than scant?

While in some cases nearly identical to scant, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When is it sensible to use sparse instead of scant?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

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 scant

Adjective

That their deposits must already be so scarce—and their profits so scant—that the industry needs government protection just to survive. — Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 When the scant blood trail disappeared, Charles began the meticulous hands-and-knees job of track-trailing the buck. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas. — Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022 In most cases, the Electoral College vote is a mere formality that carries no drama and garners scant public attention. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for scant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scant

Adjective

However, judging by the content of the minutes, specific details were sparse.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
According to Grande Cosmetics, apply GrandeBROW once daily on a clean, dry brow, concentrating on sparse areas.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

For reference, antimony is a relatively scarce metal/mineral used in things like flame retardants, batteries, electronics, and defense applications.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
David Szondy/New Atlas What was needed was a cheap, effective weapon that could be produced quickly and in large numbers with the scarce resources available in a country committed to total war.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scarce

Verb

Greg Rogers, a former FBI agent and SWAT sniper who now teaches at Utah Valley University, said the alleged risk to the crowd should be enough to preserve the aggravating factor at this stage.

— Michael Ruiz , Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Keen to preserve its heritage, history, and architecture, the Japanese government explored various paths before approaching Hoshino Resorts in 2019 to help realize the vision of transforming it into a hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of preserve

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“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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