MEAGER Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty , scant , skimpy , spare , and sparse . While all these words 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

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

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, 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 would 'scanty' be a good substitute for 'meager'?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

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

While in some cases nearly identical to meager , 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 'meager'?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

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

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

meager

adjective

ˈmē-gər

variants or meagre

Definition of meager next

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable ever since he started the diet, his dinners have been more meager than he would like

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How does the adjective meager differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words 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

When is scant a more appropriate choice than meager?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, 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 would scanty be a good substitute for meager?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of meager?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager, 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 meager?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

In what contexts can sparse take the place of meager?

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 meager On the other end of the court, Florida had only two miscues, and Alabama — one of the fastest teams in the country — finished with a meager 3 fast-break points. —

Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026 Political observers expect some Democratic candidates who have meager financial resources and little name identification among the electorate to be pressured to drop out of the race by party leaders so that the party can consolidate support behind a viable candidate. —

Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Demand was meager, even before New York’s attorney general launched an investigation into Indivior’s sales tactics. —

Lev Facher, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026 And maybe a small cash handout that helps a meager few. —

Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meager

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager

Adjective

How to Prune String of Hearts String of hearts tends to grow long and sparse, with most of the fullness gradually drifting away from the pot, says Rachael Kemery, founder of Rising Iris Farm.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Details are still sparse, but the governor insists a public option would save money for residents and the state.

— Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of sparse

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meads

meager

meagerly

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“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 11 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of meager

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