Synonyms of economical

economical

adjective

ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl 

as in economizing

careful in the management of money or resources

we have to be economical in our use of the camp's limited supply of electricity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economizing
• saving
• frugal
• thrifty
• prudent
• conserving
• provident
• sparing
• cheap
• preserving
• scrimping
• foresighted
• parsimonious
• close
• forehanded
• spare
• foresightful
• penny-wise
• tight
• miserly
• stingy
• mean
• pinching
• penurious
• tightfisted
• penny-pinching
• niggardly
• stinting
• closefisted
• niggard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wasteful
• profligate
• spendthrift
• unthrifty
• prodigal
• liberal
• generous
• improvident
• charitable
• shortsighted
• unselfish
• bountiful
• munificent
• thriftless
• extravagant
• unsparing
• squandering
• lavish
• indulgent
• openhanded
• freehanded

Synonym Chooser

How is the word economical distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of economical are frugal, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

When could frugal be used to replace economical?

While the synonyms frugal and economical are close in meaning, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When is it sensible to use sparing instead of economical?

The meanings of sparing and economical largely overlap; however, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

When can thrifty be used instead of economical?

The words thrifty and economical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Examples of economical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From the filmmaker’s premise to the audiences’ response, Padilha’s film is built entirely around the social, economical and criminal realities of a country whose consumer population has little patience for provocative art, and is frequently antagonistic to it. —Guilherme Jacobs, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024

For younger residents, La Crosse, which houses three universities, has consistently been named among the most economical college towns in the U.S. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024

For the ultimate in economical coverage, try a box fan. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 22 July 2024

The company had fought back from the brink of failure in the mid-1970s, largely on the success of two products: The compact, economical K Car, and the first incarnation of the modern minivan. —Bob Sorokanich, Robb Report, 17 July 2024