1
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
2
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
3
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in conserving
to use or give out in stingy amounts
I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparing
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Adjective
But the smile is now more sparing, at least on camera.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Mercy for violence, however, remained more sparing.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparing
Adjective
-
Pyne said logging is neither economical on the North Rim nor a good way to reduce fire hazards.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
29 July 2025
-
However, critics have questioned the necessity of the renovation, arguing that building a new headquarters might be more economical.—
,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
The trailer is careful to showcase the film’s scale – fighter planes soar, speedboats roar, trains careen, and cities flash by in a blur – while keeping plot details tantalizingly out of reach.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 July 2025
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The hamstring injury Mount suffered overextending his leg in the Manchester derby in December kept him out until March, and Amorim was careful to reintroduce him — and praised his diligence in returning to fitness.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In her prominent book Atlas of AI, renowned Microsoft researcher and academic Kate Crawford documents the vast extractive needs of AI but notes that detailed analysis of materials that will be needed has been sparse.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Details about the plot and general vibe of the project are currently sparse, so who knows?—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
In 1980, voters overwhelmingly chose Reagan’s sunny optimism over Carter’s gloomy warnings about cutting back and conserving.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Addressing these inefficiencies through sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, energy audits and waste-to-energy solutions is crucial to reducing the global carbon footprint, conserving resources, and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The crucial evidence comes from the closest relative of T. rex, the equally impressive Tarbosaurus.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 July 2025
-
Here’s what to ask yourself: Does someone on your founding team (or close circle) have solid finance experience?—
Rebecca Mitchem,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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While specific details of his early childhood are scarce, Weller came of age during a time when distilling was a booming regional industry, often run by farmers and small-business operators who combined their agricultural production with whiskey making.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Details after paramedics whisked Valdes away are scarce, her friend says, as no one was allowed to ride with her to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she was later pronounced dead.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Turkey has emerged as a key broker in the Black Sea region, preserving relations with both Ukraine and Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
-
By preserving the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, solventless concentrates offer a richer flavor and potentially more robust effects.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That means this one can be used as a storage shed and a hangout space, or even a spare garage for golf carts and riding mowers.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
The sectional also comes with a matching ottoman—and yes, the lid lifts up, revealing hidden storage inside and doubling as spare seating, a side table, or a footrest.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparing. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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