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 next

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 Some might decide to stomach higher premiums, while others are likely to switch to plans with lower up-front costs but skimpier coverage or perhaps drop their insurance altogether, experts said. —

Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025 Just carefully eyeball the plans' specs, because some are rather skimpy. —

PC Magazine, 17 Nov. 2025 New York Times Hooters is embracing skimpy uniforms again. —

Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025 Jeanine Simpkins of Mesa, Arizona, learned how skimpy the networks can be when a 40-year-old family member was in crisis this fall. —

Tony Leys, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skimpy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimpy

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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skimps (on)

skimpy

skims

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“Skimpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimpy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of skimpy

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