as in poorly
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 sparingly
Taylor, the policing expert, said a PIT maneuver is a strong tool, but should be used sparingly.
—
Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Leaves emit a powerful lemony menthol fragrance and they should be used sparingly, as opposed to common oregano.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The roof has been opened only sparingly in recent years and not at all last year, underscoring how rarely conditions or preferences align for an open-air game.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Just make sure to read the manufacturer’s directions for dilution and application, and always use the cleaner sparingly to prevent it from soaking into the wood fibers.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Götze, who scored Germany’s World Cup-winning goal in 2014, has featured sparingly for Frankfurt this season, making 18 league appearances over 27 rounds and completing only one full Bundesliga game.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
While there is a small stage, it is used sparingly.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s one reason it’s best eaten sparingly.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Has straight-line speed that can be highlighted on special teams and plays sparingly on defense.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Leaves emit a powerful lemony menthol fragrance and they should be used sparingly, as opposed to common oregano.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The roof has been opened only sparingly in recent years and not at all last year, underscoring how rarely conditions or preferences align for an open-air game.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Just make sure to read the manufacturer’s directions for dilution and application, and always use the cleaner sparingly to prevent it from soaking into the wood fibers.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Götze, who scored Germany’s World Cup-winning goal in 2014, has featured sparingly for Frankfurt this season, making 18 league appearances over 27 rounds and completing only one full Bundesliga game.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
While there is a small stage, it is used sparingly.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s one reason it’s best eaten sparingly.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Has straight-line speed that can be highlighted on special teams and plays sparingly on defense.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparingly
Adverb
-
The big-picture reality is that many novels are poorly written.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Birdfy misses most often when a bird is too close to the camera, poorly lit, or facing away from the camera.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
One reason Rosen was able to buy the building so cheaply is that the land beneath it is owned by the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, the small unique college on Astor Place.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That recycling loop is what allowed Washington to borrow cheaply, run persistent deficits, and still maintain the world’s reserve currency.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The family lived frugally, Ferguson said, since Good’s partner sold a company and didn’t work as Good attended graduate school online.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Perdue has lived a double life—having access to immense privilege and money from two business empires, while holding down a regular job and living frugally.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The United States has never been better prepared economically to confront this threat.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The biggest effect of Indiana’s new CDL rule will be economically, Johnson said.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
To this new arena of few big, let alone original, hits; to a place where expensive corporatized storytelling could hold no candle to the quick-turn, inexpensively made short videos young people watched or the quick-turn, inexpensively made long podcasts older people listened to.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Second, California doesn’t build anything inexpensively and efficiently.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Maps show the location of the crash is sparely populated and the two-lane road has no street lighting.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
When opportunities arise, whether lowly paid or not, we’re often left with no other choice than to take the role that pays meagerly.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Fraser hopes against hope that this whole debacle will increase their tip, however meagerly.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
That’s frustrating considering the format has always been thriftily priced.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparingly. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
