SKIMPY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of skimpy are meager , scanty , scant , spare , and sparse . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: In what contexts can 'meager' take the place of 'skimpy'?

The words meager and skimpy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can 'scant' be used instead of 'skimpy'?

The words scant and skimpy can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might 'scanty' be a better fit than 'skimpy'?

The meanings of scanty and skimpy largely overlap; however, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When would 'spare' be a good substitute for 'skimpy'?

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

Q: When could 'sparse' be used to replace 'skimpy'?

While the synonyms sparse and skimpy are close in meaning, sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

skimpy

adjective

ˈskim-pē

Definition of skimpy

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable the information in the user's manual for the microwave is skimpy and not particularly helpful

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How does the adjective skimpy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skimpy are meager, scanty, scant, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

In what contexts can meager take the place of skimpy?

The words meager and skimpy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When can scant be used instead of skimpy?

The words scant and skimpy can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might scanty be a better fit than skimpy?

The meanings of scanty and skimpy largely overlap; however, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When would spare be a good substitute for skimpy?

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

a spare, concise style of writing

When could sparse be used to replace skimpy?

While the synonyms sparse and skimpy are close in meaning, 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 skimpy The salade de homard has skimpy pieces of lobster tossed on greens with some green beans, and the steak filet is awfully small, though perfectly cooked. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Basketball legend Michael Jordan has been seen getting on and off his yacht at Nammos, the island’s most famous beach club that boasts Las Vegas-type show girls in skimpy costumes. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 Michigan's system has incorrectly directed people with disabilities into skimpier benefits that cover limited care or denied coverage completely, a KFF Health News investigation found. — Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026 What if our habits of normalization lead us to accept super storms and skimpy winters as normal? — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for skimpy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimpy

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

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skimps (on)

skimpy

skims

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

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Synonyms of skimpy

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