scant 1 of 2

Definition of scantnext

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

Synonym Chooser

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
Except for a mention in a blogpost and scant information, private AI companies aren't transparent about the energy and water costs of queries, said Luccioni and other experts who have tried to calculate those costs. ABC News, 24 June 2026 Despite the fact that American leaders paid scant attention to his initial overture, Sultan Muhammad pursued the relationship further. Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 23, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 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
  • Already, reports of sparse crowds have marred the Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall, the Daily Beast said.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • In North Platte, Nebraska, vegetation is much sparser with drier soils.
    Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • After Japan took a 1-0 lead in the first half, Brazil relentlessly attacked in the second half, equalizing in the 56th minute before scoring again with only a minute to spare in stoppage time.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • The West Indies made 125-7 and the inadequacy of that total was exposed by Australia hunting it down with seven overs to spare.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Rats are burrowing into aid parcels, forcing people to throw away scarce rice or flour supplies.
    Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Managing scarcity through digital modeling While deuterium is highly abundant and easily extracted from standard seawater, tritium is exceedingly scarce in nature.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • This will be a physically gruelling knockout stage, the first World Cup with five knockout matches, and conserving energy for later matches makes sense.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Behind Luka Doncic, the Lakers took care of Austin Reaves by agreeing to a four-year, $185-million contract that will be officially signed toward the end of the offseason to help the Lakers preserve maximum cap flexibility.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • But the circular rose garden has been preserved and maintained, and buds begin to bloom in May, continuing through the summer.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on scant

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster