variants or meagre

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective meager differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When is scant a more appropriate choice than meager?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, 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 would scanty be a good substitute for meager?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of meager?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager, 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 meager?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

In what contexts can sparse take the place of meager?

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 meager Relying on their meager root system, while mediating the stressors of growing in a new place, makes a heat wave especially tough for new plants. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025 However, here’s the drawback: Costco is trading at 55 times earnings and 59 times free cash flow, resulting in a meager 1.7% cash flow yield. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 In the 50-meter range, a meager 7 percent of NEOs have been found. IEEE Spectrum, 11 June 2025 Traditional savings accounts offered a meager 0.5%, while crypto platforms dangled returns of 15–50%, sometimes more, luring both investors and speculators. Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager
Adjective
  • Berrios, Cracraft and Dubose were sparse contributors last season because of injuries and the fact Malik Washington emerged as Miami’s slot receiver and primary returner.
    Omar Kelly July 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • At a tournament where much of the focus has been on sparse attendances, Madrid have got bigger crowds than anyone, drawing an average of 67,247.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • But for most people real human attention is scarce.
    Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Longevity Delivers More Than Health These stories prove what’s possible, even when resources are scarce.
    Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some other discounts may seem impressive on the surface, but have consistently poor ratings or only a few sizes in stock.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • In Miami’s poorer communities, such as Allapattah and Liberty City, a helicopter inspection suggested extensive roof damage to homes, businesses and churches.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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