SPARINGLY Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

sparingly

adverb

Definition of sparingly

as in poorly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 sparingly Luiz was used sparingly off the bench for Olympiacos and never seemed to fit stylistically. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 But Jackson has played sparingly of late, getting just one at-bat this month. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2026 Undiluted apple cider vinegar has a strong odor, so it should be used sparingly. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026 Tesla is still conducting internal testing and using Optimus devices sparingly in the production. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Baking soda can be helpful for houseplants, but it must be used sparingly and with caution to avoid harm. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026 That might not be enough hope to field first-choice lineups Sunday, or at least play them sparingly, with just three days’ rest — and another Leagues Cup match in the middle of the week and the resumption of their respective leagues next weekend. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026 After playing sparingly for three years at Texas A&M, King established himself as a dual threat at Georgia Tech over the last three seasons. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Salt can also alter soil composition, affecting its nutrient and water retention, so it should be used sparingly on its own as a weed killer. — The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparingly

Adverb

That assumption aged poorly as AA’s competitor Delta Air Lines made seatback screens based on cheaper, lighter hardware part of its standard experience.

— Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Toxicologist Fernández has stayed in touch with his patient and still winces about how Mark feared reporting the crime to the police could reflect poorly on him professionally.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of poorly

Adverb

ExlService Holdings is a business-process outsourcing company that traditionally helped businesses handle back-office functions more cheaply.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Not only would the ’70s see a precipitous rise of in the number of Hollywood sequels, but any film that managed to cut through the zeitgeist gave birth to handfuls of quick, formulaic, often cheaply made, copycats.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheaply

Adverb

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
Perdue has lived a double life—having access to immense privilege and money from two business empires, while holding down a regular job and living frugally.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

Definition of frugally

Adverb

Opportunity Zones, created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and first designated in 2018, are economically distressed census tracts where taxpayers can receive preferential tax treatment by investing eligible gains through QOFs.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
But the United States has argued that the Pacific region is too important economically to lose.

— Ben Finley, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of economically

Adverb

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
While secondary payloads can fly with many launch providers, none offer transportation as frequently or inexpensively as SpaceX rideshare.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

sparing

sparingly

spark

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sparingly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes