SPARSE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sparse' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager , scanty , scant , skimpy , and spare . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

Q: When might 'meager' be a better fit than 'sparse'?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. // a meager portion of meat

Q: In what contexts can 'scant' take the place of 'sparse'?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 it sensible to use 'scanty' instead of 'sparse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse , scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When could 'skimpy' be used to replace 'sparse'?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: Where would 'spare' be a reasonable alternative to 'sparse'?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

sparse

adjective

ˈspärs

Definition of sparse next

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable open land is sparse around here

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How does the adjective sparse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, and spare. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

When might meager be a better fit than sparse?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

In what contexts can scant take the place of sparse?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 it sensible to use scanty instead of sparse?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When could skimpy be used to replace sparse?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to sparse?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

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 sparse Scientific evidence on sleeping with socks is sparse, but one small experimental study offers some insight. —

Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Feb. 2026 The brain relies on relatively sparse neurons that communicate with pulses in spiking patterns. —

IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2026 This sparse design extends into the rooms that are dressed in desert hues, with floating beds in the center of the room, walk-in showers, and private balconies that look onto the pool; some also have soaking tubs. —

Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026 Even though Earth’s atmosphere is sparse, it’s still made of atoms, and atoms have atomic nuclei. —

Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sparse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparse

scarce

Adjective

Although plants played a central role in subsistence for centuries, Neolithic communities heavily relied on human and animal figures, with scarce traces of plant visual representation, such as flowers, shrubs, and branches.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
For fans, that means tickets available at face value are scarce.

— Julian Torres, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of scarce

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spars

sparse

sparseness

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

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Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of sparse

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