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 next

as in sparse

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

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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!

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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

On the Mall, the wide avenue leading to the palace, a sudden downpour and a bitter wind buffeted a scant line of crowds, huddled under umbrellas against the barriers lining the iconic red roadway. —

Alexander Smith, NBC news, 13 May 2026 Today there is scant physical evidence that along the west side of Cordova Street there was once a community center as well as a grocery store, a barber shop/hair salon and, according to some unverified reports, a hamburger joint. —

Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 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

The social media presence of Sun Space is sparse, so Unusual Tuesday attracts most of its attendees by word of mouth.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The size and growth habit depend on the species, some bottlebrushes are dense and compact, lending themselves to be grown as informal hedges, whereas others are sparse and open and can be pruned into a small tree.

— Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 May 2026

Definition of sparse

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scanted

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“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of scant

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