SCANT Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, 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 could 'scanty' be used to replace 'scant'?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

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

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'scant'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sparse' instead of 'scant'?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

scant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskant

Definition of scant

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable jobs for teenagers were scant that summer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scant

2 of 2

verb

as in to spare

to use or give out in stingy amounts don't scant the peanut butter on those sandwiches!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective scant differ from other similar words?

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

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When could scanty be used to replace scant?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of scant?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 scant?

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

a spare, concise style of writing

When is it sensible to use sparse instead of scant?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but 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 scant

Adjective

Information on Cami Clark has been scant, but the WSJ investigates her background and involvement with Anthropic. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Posters around town are scant, and increasingly athletes view themselves as individual brands. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas. — Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022 In most cases, the Electoral College vote is a mere formality that carries no drama and garners scant public attention. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for scant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scant

Adjective

Even within the sparse and widely untouched sector, CBP is not beginning from zero.

— Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Those funds have grown ever sparser as the administration of new President Jose Antonio Kast, who took office in March, has announced cuts to the Ministry of Culture and various competitive funds for the Arts.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Verb

Nigeria's security woes have also persisted in recent years with more mass kidnappings and killings, and have further spread to regions that were once spared the violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Update your day-to-day looks with smooth leather bags in fall colors, keep your essentials close with compact crossbody bags, and carry everything at once with spacious totes that can fit laptops and more with room to spare.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of spare

Adjective

There's scarce public data, but some estimates indicate that up to 20% of the company's total warehouse space has been destroyed, with assessments of losses running as high as $6 billion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The war in the Middle East has made cargoes more scarce and, in turn, more expensive, raising the prospects of another energy crunch.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of scarce

Verb

Additional features In an effort to conserve even more water per flush, some American Standard toilets offer a dual-flush option.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
The hotel’s environmental commitment includes conserving resources through their rainwater collection irrigation system as well as water flow restrictors installed in all showers, toilets, and sinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of conserve

Verb

At that time, the boardwalk was only 1 mile long and 8 feet wide, and it could be taken apart and preserved during the winter.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The latter was made by Collectiva Concepción, a Mexico City brand that seeks to support artisans in rural communities and preserve many of Mexico’s textile traditions.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of preserve

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“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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