[go: up one dir, main page]

variants or meagre
Definition of meagernext

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 For ski resorts forced to delay fully opening for the season amid meager snowpack, the fresh powder was cause for celebration. Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025 The guests’ meager belongings were laid out in rows. Gigi Leung, Time, 20 Dec. 2025 The professional athlete’s salary this year was a meager $74,909 (compared to the NBA with minimum salaries starting over $1 million). Essence, 19 Dec. 2025 Speaking of which, the decline in dollars tied to carriage deals remains bleak, as cable affiliate fees dropped another 6% in Q3, while broadcast retransmission consent dollars were up a meager 2%. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager
Adjective
  • Even though the snow in the Rockies is sparse, Colorado ski-makers are still gearing up to sell the latest and greatest.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In a landscape where authenticity has become increasingly sparse, the rapper is proof that sometimes the best way to engage an audience is by simply being yourself.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The capacity for attention on books is so scarce, more so every year.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
  • And the buildout is putting stress on local water resources that communities worry will cause shortages, with 160 new facilities located in areas with scarce supply, according to Bloomberg.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In recent games, KU’s communication has been pretty poor on defense and that’s led to players taking (and too often missing) wide-open 3-pointers.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on meager

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!