SPARING Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sparing' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sparing are economical , frugal , and thrifty . While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," sparing stresses abstention and restraint. // sparing in the offering of advice

Q: When might 'economical' be a better fit than 'sparing'?

Although the words economical and sparing have much in common, economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage. // an economical health-care plan

Q: When can 'frugal' be used instead of 'sparing'?

In some situations, the words frugal and sparing are roughly equivalent. However, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle. // ran a frugal household

Q: Where would 'thrifty' be a reasonable alternative to 'sparing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparing , thrifty stresses good management and industry. // thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

sparing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsper-iŋ

Definition of sparing

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources a sparing couple who are trying to save up enough for a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careful

giving or sharing as little as possible a government agency that has always been sparing of public information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable unfortunately, the explanation of the health insurance plan was somewhat sparing on details

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sparing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spare

as in conserving

to use or give out in stingy amounts I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in saving

to avoid unnecessary waste or expense she had grown up during the Great Depression, so she was no stranger to sparing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sparing distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

sparing in the offering of advice

When might economical be a better fit than sparing?

Although the words economical and sparing 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 sparing?

In some situations, the words frugal and sparing are roughly equivalent. However, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

Where would thrifty be a reasonable alternative to sparing?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparing, thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

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 sparing

Adjective

In other cases, the redactions were more sparing. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Verb

Hawaii cleans up after Hurricane Lala Communities struggled to recover after Tropical Storm Lala sideswiped Hawaii as a Category 1 hurricane, sparing the islands a direct hit but dumping more than 3½ feet of rain that caused catastrophic flooding. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 Bart Verbruggen spread himself to foil Heine Larsen and a centre-back’s finish late on by Isak Vadebu, skewed wide of the target, sparing the visitors from a surprise defeat to diligent but limited opponents. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The legislation has reportedly received flak for essentially sparing European and French companies such as Zara and Kiabi. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026 According to Lucci, the dam also acted as a defensive bulwark during last November’s Typhoon Uwan, capturing over 99% of rainfall and sparing the lives of many downstream communities. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 Doctors often monitor slow-moving tumors that are neither spreading nor causing symptoms, sparing patients unnecessary surgery or radiation. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026 And Obama, who's been sparing in his endorsements so far this year, has endorsed Turek — on the basketball court. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 The secretary of Homeland Security can protect the Afghans already here with a signature, sparing tens of thousands from deportation to the Taliban. — Shawn Vandiver, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing

Adjective

Although Ventura County already procures renewable electricity through a community choice energy program, local generation is expected to offer a more economical route to meeting its sustainability targets.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Stax so his drumming was so solid and in the pocket, economical with his high hats, a joy to hear.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of economical

Adjective

Apply the serum directly to sparse areas of your brows, being careful to avoid letting the product touch other areas of your skin.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
According to the researchers, careful process design and optimization as well as architecture simplification could help in solving most of these issues, something that industrial production focuses on much more than academic researchers.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of careful

Verb

As one of the world’s leading manta ray research organizations, The Manta Trust is dedicated to educating and conserving habitats for these majestic creatures.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Colorado has been dealing with significant drought conditions this year, and conserving water is proving challenging.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of conserving

Verb

Parton invested time and money in causes that were important to her, including funding college tuition and saving bald eagles.

— Maggie Penman, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Insider tip Guests can check the availability of washing machines and the public bath right from the TV in each room, saving a trip downstairs or a call to the front desk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of saving

Adjective

Critics of Modi’s prudent management of Washington have not come up with a convincing alternative strategy for how India should handle the growing power imbalance with China.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
But Newsom’s new language moves away from the prudent standard and also drops the fatality requirement.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prudent

Adjective

California Cruise is even closer than expected, with deliveries slated to begin next year.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
The success of this trial was possible through the close and constructive cooperation between the participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of close

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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“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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