scant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskant How to pronounce scant (audio)
Definition of scantnext
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable jobs for teenagers were scant that summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonym Chooser

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
Pitino’s turnaround at New Mexico, a program that had scant success since joining the Mountain West in 1999, and his familiarity with the Big East make for an intriguing pairing at Xavier, a school that invests heavily in hoops and where reaching the NCAA Tournament is a baseline expectation. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Despite claims that every single individual deported was thoroughly vetted, immigration officials have provided scant evidence. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
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
  1. sparse
  2. spare
  3. scarce
  4. conserve
  5. preserve
Adjective
  • The evidence against Mayers was sparse, mainly consisting of a few indistinct and inconveniently angled surveillance videos.
    — Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This abundance is in stark contrast to today, when sightings of migrating fish are sparse.
    — Logan Kistler, JSTOR Daily, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of sparse
Verb
  • June eventually found herself at Serena’s mercy and was spared; June then, as luck would have it, delivered Serena’s baby and was later reunited with Luke.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts, led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, have not spared an agency that otherwise operates and funds itself independently.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of spare
Adjective
  • Details of who makes up the DOGE staff have been scarce despite the intense media attention on the team's efforts.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As a rule, if rain is scarce, a crepe myrtle needs two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of scarce
Verb
  • By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The regulations were placed in an effort to conserve water and energy resources, as well as lower utility bills.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • The researchers are proposing this as a better way to preserve the memories of your beloved toys and other personal items, as well as to help present objects for closer examination to museum visitors.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But underperformer and all, he’s still headed to Washington to preserve Republicans’ paper-thin majority in the U.S. House.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of preserve

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Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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