SPARINGLY Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

sparingly

adverb

Definition of sparingly

as in poorly

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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 Marshall, a former University of Florida standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has gotten off to a quiet start in his first season as a full-fledged starter, sparingly being targeted in the first three games. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 Although it’s been used sparingly since first coming to market more than 25 years ago, Foamposite remains one of Nike‘s most emblematic technologies. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 If the plant in a cachepot is too big to lift out easily, water it in the pot sparingly. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 Use hydrogen peroxide sparingly, as too much can waste product and may yellow clothes in sunlight. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026 Toney played sparingly in the second half, and Fletcher left the game in the fourth quarter. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026 In the near-decade since, Jay-Z has chosen his moments of visibility sparingly, appearing mostly as a power broker playing in one-per-center sandboxes. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 The car, which has spent the last 24 years under private ownership, appears to have been well looked after and driven sparingly, with less than 1,900 miles showing up on the odometer. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026 Open Shelving Install open shelving sparingly, advises interior designer Rebekah Murphy. — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparingly

Adverb

A week ago, the Chiefs defense opened so poorly that coordinator Steve Spagnuolo provided a reality check on the sideline in the first quarter.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Even though the score was 27-27 in the fourth quarter and SC's defense seemed to get a stop on a long third down, a trademark poorly timed, and frankly absurd and ridiculous, roughing the passer penalty gave the Ducks a free first down.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of poorly

Adverb

The Dayton area has shed about half of its 90,000 factory jobs since 1990, according to federal data, after the North American Free Trade Agreement shifted many jobs to Mexico where auto parts could be made more cheaply.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Engineers have begun testing the system, called the L300KZ, with an aim to find out if high-performance wire can be made rapidly, cheaply, and in high volumes.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheaply

Adverb

Maines lived frugally and generously left his estate to charity, funding a scholarship at his alma mater, SUNY at Canton, and supporting local journalism at The Asheville Watchdog.

— Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of frugally

Adverb

In other words, support for white nationalism was higher among people living in more distressed or economically depressed places.

— James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
This flexibility enables rail operators to deploy electric service on routes where traditional electrification may not be economically feasible, according to a press release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of economically

Adverb

After recently visiting Micron headquarters in Boise, Idaho, Jim was even more convinced that the chipmaker is trading too inexpensively at only six times fiscal 2027 earnings estimates.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
As air conditioning breakdowns grow more common and repair companies face packed schedules, many homeowners are eager to get their cooling restored as quickly — and as inexpensively — as possible.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of inexpensively

Adverb

Limón would like to see the state stop subsidizing corporations who pay so meagerly that their employees qualify for Medi-Cal.

— Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
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

Definition of meagerly

Adverb

Time, not thriftily spent but flagrantly wasted at cards or the wheel, is brought to a standstill right at the moment of its greatest potentiality—this would have to be the ultimate payoff.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
That’s frustrating considering the format has always been thriftily priced.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025

Definition of thriftily

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sparing

sparingly

spark

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“Sparingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparingly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sparingly

adverb

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