SPARSE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sparse' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager , scanty , scant , skimpy , and spare . While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units. // a sparse population

Q: When might 'meager' be a better fit than 'sparse'?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. // a meager portion of meat

Q: In what contexts can 'scant' take the place of 'sparse'?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential. // in January the daylight hours are scant

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scanty' instead of 'sparse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse , scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. // supplies too scanty to last the winter

Q: When could 'skimpy' be used to replace 'sparse'?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. // tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Q: Where would 'spare' be a reasonable alternative to 'sparse'?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. // a spare , concise style of writing

sparse

adjective

ˈspärs

Definition of sparse next

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable open land is sparse around here

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How does the adjective sparse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, and spare. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

When might meager be a better fit than sparse?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

In what contexts can scant take the place of sparse?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 it sensible to use scanty instead of sparse?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When could skimpy be used to replace sparse?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to sparse?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

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 sparse 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 Residents remain sparse, but AdventHealth is planting the flag for a larger hospital campus with an emergency room on the first floor of an 88,000-square-foot facility costing $81 million. —

Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 5 July 2025 Lots of seats remained open July 3t, and the standing-room-only crowd also was pretty sparse — at least compared to the 2025 festival's first two weekends. —

jsonline.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sparse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparse

scarce

Adjective

While specific details of his early childhood are scarce, Weller came of age during a time when distilling was a booming regional industry, often run by farmers and small-business operators who combined their agricultural production with whiskey making.

— Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Details after paramedics whisked Valdes away are scarce, her friend says, as no one was allowed to ride with her to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 24 July 2025

Definition of scarce

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spars

sparse

sparseness

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“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparse. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Last Updated: 29 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of sparse

adjective

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More from Merriam-Webster on sparse

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