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Definition of stingynext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stingy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stingy are close, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, and penurious. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

When could close be used to replace stingy?

The words close and stingy can be used in similar contexts, but close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When might miserly be a better fit than stingy?

The words miserly and stingy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When is niggardly a more appropriate choice than stingy?

In some situations, the words niggardly and stingy are roughly equivalent. However, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When would parsimonious be a good substitute for stingy?

While the synonyms parsimonious and stingy are close in meaning, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

Where would penurious be a reasonable alternative to stingy?

While in some cases nearly identical to stingy, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

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 stingy In his absence, the Patriots’ run defense has plummeted from the league’s stingiest to one of its worst. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025 Optimism bias could lead people to agree to unfavorable terms, as in the case of a woman who signed an especially stingy prenup. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025 On the other end, Stanford’s stingy defense held the Ducks to making just 9-of-27 shots. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025 This was supposed to be a game between two of the stingiest defensive teams in the country. Janis Carr, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stingy
Adjective
  • Como had been neck-and-neck with Roma’s miserly backline before shipping four at Inter last Saturday, a chastening defeat that ended an unbeaten run stretching back to the end of August.
    Jack Bantock, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
  • In this version, miserly Madame Eleanor is visited by the ghost former business partner Jacob Marley as well as a few other apparitions.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
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
  • Freedom and rule of law were defended last night, but dictators will try to exploit this to rationalize their selfish objectives.
    Rachel Scott, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Even though a lot of what happens in the book borders on the ridiculous because of the behavior of narcissistic selfish venal individuals.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
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
  • Carrey portrays Ebenezer Scrooge, a cantankerous, greedy old man visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him the error of his ways.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The turning point in this contest, though, came when the Chiefs decided to get greedy on fourth-and-1 from their own 31-yard line.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
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
Adjective
  • Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.
    Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 May 2023
Adjective
  • The eye, though, is much more parsimonious, focusing its attention only on a small part of the visual scene at any one time—namely, the part of the scene that changes, like the fluttering of a leaf or a golf ball splashing into water.
    Christoph Posch, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Nov. 2025
  • California voters acted with urgency, but implementation efforts have been met with petulance and parsimonious budgetary support that is barely one fourth of what is needed.
    Steve Smith, Oc Register, 18 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on stingy

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