SCANTY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of scanty are meager , scant , skimpy , spare , and sparse . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When is it sensible to use 'meager' instead of 'scanty'?

The synonyms meager and scanty are sometimes interchangeable, but meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. // a meager portion of meat

Q: Where would 'scant' be a reasonable alternative to 'scanty'?

In some situations, the words scant and scanty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could 'skimpy' be used to replace 'scanty'?

The words skimpy and scanty can be used in similar contexts, but skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: When can 'spare' be used instead of 'scanty'?

The words spare and scanty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

Q: When would 'sparse' be a good substitute for 'scanty'?

Although the words sparse and scanty have much in common, sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

scanty

adjective

ˈskan-tē

Definition of scanty

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable the camera's scanty instructions left me somewhat confused

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How does the adjective scanty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scanty are meager, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When is it sensible to use meager instead of scanty?

The synonyms meager and scanty are sometimes interchangeable, but meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

Where would scant be a reasonable alternative to scanty?

In some situations, the words scant and scanty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could skimpy be used to replace scanty?

The words skimpy and scanty can be used in similar contexts, but skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When can spare be used instead of scanty?

The words spare and scanty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When would sparse be a good substitute for scanty?

Although the words sparse and scanty have much in common, sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

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 scanty Although the details are scanty, the potential DOE funding is likely to be directed towards this demonstration facility. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026 When evidence was scanty, or when misconduct needed to be covered up, police routinely perjured themselves to make sure case outcomes turned out as desired. — Patrick Blanchfield, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2020 Given the scale at which the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe, India’s scanty testing network might prove to be a terrible nightmare soon. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, 17 Mar. 2020 In the sunshine outside a large convention center in the southern Spanish city of Estepona, some very fit-looking people in scanty clothing applied fake tans and rehearsed statuesque poses. — Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for scanty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scanty

Adjective

Across bat species, 9 percent are known so far to have odor-producing glands and other structures, but research on this is sparse, according to a 2021 paper in Mammal Review co-authored by Page.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
The incident appeared in the university’s crime log with sparse details, but officials did not respond to CNN’s inquiry about whether students were broadly notified of the allegations.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

Dire situation in Oleshky Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months in Oleshky, which sits on the Dnipro River that separates Ukrainian forces from the city’s Russian occupiers.

— ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Huang said that the allocation of energy — which is scarce in the region — to companies like Nebius and Mistral is crucial for their growth.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

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scants

scanty

scape

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“Scanty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scanty. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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