SPARSE Synonyms: 71 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Despite being sparse in incorporating Madison, the episode was strong, with standout performances from cast members, especially Bowen Yang and Andrew Dismukes. —

Rima Parikh, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2025 The dialogue is sparse in this slow cinema exercise. —

Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025 Fine-tuning helps mitigate this problem, guiding the model to act as a helpful assistant and to refuse to complete a prompt when its related training data is sparse. —

ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025 Buckingham Palace revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, but information on the British royal's condition has been sparse. —

Doha Madani, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sparse

Browse Nearby Words

spars

sparse

sparseness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparse. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 10 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of sparse

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sparse

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

fastidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Popular

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of sparse

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sparse

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

fastidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Popular

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Games & Quizzes