SKIMPY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of skimpy are meager , scanty , scant , spare , and sparse . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

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

The words meager and skimpy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can 'scant' be used instead of 'skimpy'?

The words scant and skimpy can be used in similar contexts, 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 might 'scanty' be a better fit than 'skimpy'?

The meanings of scanty and skimpy largely overlap; however, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When would 'spare' be a good substitute for 'skimpy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to skimpy , spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

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

While the synonyms sparse and skimpy are close in meaning, sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

skimpy

adjective

ˈskim-pē

Definition of skimpy

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable the information in the user's manual for the microwave is skimpy and not particularly helpful

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How does the adjective skimpy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skimpy are meager, scanty, scant, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

In what contexts can meager take the place of skimpy?

The words meager and skimpy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When can scant be used instead of skimpy?

The words scant and skimpy can be used in similar contexts, 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 might scanty be a better fit than skimpy?

The meanings of scanty and skimpy largely overlap; however, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When would spare be a good substitute for skimpy?

While in some cases nearly identical to skimpy, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When could sparse be used to replace skimpy?

While the synonyms sparse and skimpy are close in meaning, 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 skimpy Meanwhile, the Palak Paneer is watery, and the Chicken Tikka Masala is skimpy on chicken. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026 And American bosses were almost as skimpy with new employees, adding staff 77% below the post-Great Recession norm. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2026 Ali Larter flaunted her fit physique in several skimpy bikinis while soaking up the sun during a vacation in Italy. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The salade de homard has skimpy pieces of lobster tossed on greens with some green beans, and the steak filet is awfully small, though perfectly cooked. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for skimpy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimpy

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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skimps (on)

skimpy

skims

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“Skimpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimpy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of skimpy

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