MEAGER Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty , scant , skimpy , spare , and sparse . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," 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 is 'scant' a more appropriate choice than 'meager'?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, 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 would 'scanty' be a good substitute for 'meager'?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When can 'skimpy' be used instead of 'meager'?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager , skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

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

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

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

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

meager

adjective

ˈmē-gər

variants or meagre

Definition of meager next

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable ever since he started the diet, his dinners have been more meager than he would like

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How does the adjective meager differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When is scant a more appropriate choice than meager?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, 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 would scanty be a good substitute for meager?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of meager?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When might spare be a better fit than meager?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

In what contexts can sparse take the place of meager?

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of meager Pension plan a sticking point for Boeing machinists on strike 04:46 The Boeing strike, along with Hurricanes Helene and Milton, weighed on the labor market in October, with employers adding a meager 12,000 jobs for the month. —

Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 In reality, the nutty spread is primarily a great source of healthy fats; its protein content is a meager four grams per tablespoon, says Peruvemba. —

Audrey Bruno, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024 Then on Friday, Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) (Establishment Survey) showed a meager +12K total job growth. —

Robert Barone, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 The meager jobs numbers along with wages about in line with expectations help cement another interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week. —

Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meager

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager

Adjective

Those in attendance seemed to have fun, even if the internet buzz was pretty sparse.

Michael Savio, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
The collection is sparse from then on, since starting in the early 1970s the sewing industry mirrored the shift to ready-to-wear and away from couture.

Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024