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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stingy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stingy are close, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, and penurious. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

When could close be used to replace stingy?

The words close and stingy can be used in similar contexts, but close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When might miserly be a better fit than stingy?

The words miserly and stingy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When is niggardly a more appropriate choice than stingy?

In some situations, the words niggardly and stingy are roughly equivalent. However, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When would parsimonious be a good substitute for stingy?

While the synonyms parsimonious and stingy are close in meaning, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

Where would penurious be a reasonable alternative to stingy?

While in some cases nearly identical to stingy, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

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 stingy The nation's stingiest defense held the Vols to 15 first-half points, the fewest in an Elite Eight game since 1979. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025 Showdown beyond the arc One of the most intriguing matchups in Atlanta will be Ole Miss’ 3-point shooters, led by Sean Pedulla, taking on a Michigan State defense that is one of the nation’s stingiest outside the arc. Paul Newberry, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 He’s been valuable as a defender for years, manning the perimeter on a squad that’s become the NBA’s stingiest. Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Even as the Las Vegas team struggled to score points and get in the win column, the defense proved stingy in stretches. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stingy
Adjective
  • Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • And Martin says the uncertainty about insurance rates is yet another good reason to be careful on the road.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Prevent seeds from establishing by maintaining a healthy lawn, stop seed germination with pre-emergent herbicides, Maintain a Healthy Lawn Dandelions thrive in thin, sparse lawns and garden beds.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The trend left a lasting impact on Marchand and others in her generation who were left with sparse, barely-there brows.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Chrissy made a predictably miserly offer of $230,000, and obviously David did not take it.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Up to then, Wrexham had by far the most miserly defence in League One after conceding just 11 goals in 19 league games — five better than Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town.
    Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season, which meant snow was scarce.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Food was scarce, basic hygiene was a challenge, and tropical bugs feasted on our bodies.
    Lauren Vuong, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the opening scene underlines just how much Joel’s rash, deadly, selfish, ferociously loving decision hangs over these beloved characters.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The question many Republicans in the Capitol are asking themselves: which path will yield the least pain for selfish spoils?
    Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, with the percentage of roads in poor condition expected to double in two years.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Some parents worry that Alexa's high tolerance for rudeness instills poor behavior in their kids, according to Quartz.
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bulls make money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered Cramer said the market action punished investors who’ve stayed negative, as well as short sellers and hedge funds that got greedy in the past few days.
    Russell Leung, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There are also a number of Native American legends in which buzzards are portrayed as greedy and deceptive compared with other large birds.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.
    Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 May 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Stingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stingy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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