1
as in to scant
to use or give out in stingy amounts
I'll have a banana split—and don't spare the whipped cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to save
to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
she had grown up during the Great Depression, so she was no stranger to sparing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in extra
being over what is needed
I had some spare time to kill, so I cleaned up my cubicle a bit
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2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
a man who is kind and gentle but definitely spare of speech
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3
as in thin
having a noticeably small amount of body fat
a tall, spare man
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4
as in scarce
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
spare vegetation that made foraging very difficult
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as in backup
an interchangeable part or piece of equipment that is kept on hand for replacement of an original
we promptly replaced the burnt-out lightbulb with a spare
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spare
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Although Aden was spared the worst of the fighting, the city’s population exploded, as Yemenis fleeing from elsewhere in the country took shelter there.
—Raad Al-Remi, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2025
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
My friend turned a spare closet into his gear room, and a simple backyard shed can also work great for this.
—Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2025
New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
The spares are for the gigantic propellers connected to four Rolls-Royce/Alstom Mermaid propulsion Pods.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for spare
Verb
Bloomberg donated the 35 terminals — sparing the city the minimum $1,285 per month to run them — so that his aides could get right to work.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Although Aden was spared the worst of the fighting, the city’s population exploded, as Yemenis fleeing from elsewhere in the country took shelter there.
—Raad Al-Remi, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Something Even Smaller The K3 is an 80-key, 75% keyboard and is available in ANSI or ISO layouts in a variety of languages, complete with replacement keycaps for Windows and Mac, plus spare keys for currency keys and other ISO settings.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
My friend turned a spare closet into his gear room, and a simple backyard shed can also work great for this.
—Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
Carry a basic tool kit with useful spares and don't be shy about getting your hands dirty!
—New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
The spares are for the gigantic propellers connected to four Rolls-Royce/Alstom Mermaid propulsion Pods.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for spare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spare
Verb
-
By scanting this complexity, Remnick leaves readers with a less than totally satisfying depiction of Obama's encounter with the world of black Chicago.—
Walter Russell Mead,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2010
-
Trump captured attention his first time around, in part, by talking about issues that other candidates scanted: the threat of China, chaos at the southern border.—
NR Editors,
National Review,
22 Dec. 2023
Verb
-
Find even more tech deals at Walmart today, and keep on saving!—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The seating plan, called WILMA, which stands for window-middle-aisle, will save up to two minutes on the boarding process for each flight.—
Sydney Borchers,
Fox News,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Cubs also believe the 6-foot-4 defender can be a backup shortstop and an extra outfielder.—
Patrick Mooney,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
-
At the top of the range, GT-Line S can be had with a heat pump for an extra £900 at £43,895 ($56,700).—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s potential for clarity in resolving any lingering tension, but also be careful not to speak too rashly.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Crowds are also thin in the fall, and the mountain foliage views are breathtaking.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season due to a La Niña climate system, which meant snow was scarce.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
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Over the last decade, counties where large majorities of residents drink fluoridated water have consistently posted low rates of emergency room visits for dental conditions, especially in comparison to counties where fluoridated water is relatively scarce.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Marko, however, is confident that Verstappen will prove to be an effective backup in case of issues with the car.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Garoppolo and Dobbs both get the Mike White offer (two-year, $8 million, with $4 million guaranteed), and whoever accepts it first becomes Tagovailoa’s backup.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Designed to combat soil erosion, conserve water, and make steep landscapes accessible, the system is being used not only across the United States but also in places like Europe, Australia, Panama, and Haiti, where rehabilitating land means restoring ecosystems.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
4 Mar. 2025
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Why Daylight Saving Time Still Exists (For Now) Daylight Saving Time dates back to World War I, intended to conserve energy by extending evening daylight.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spare. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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