variants or meagre

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

Examples 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 Mostly to reduce corporate and income taxes, companies tend to keep the cash components of their executives’ pay as meager as possible, as opposed to stock and stock options. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 According to Canadian pollster Angus Reid, Trudeau has a disapproval rate of around 68% as of Dec. 24, with a meager 28% of Canadians supporting him. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025 Invest in a low profile pot rack that’s flush to the wall Forget those hanging pot racks that cut into your already meager standing room. Alex Ronan, Architectural Digest, 18 Dec. 2024 The big picture: While President-elect Trump has widely targeted President Biden's climate initiatives, his top energy advisers may be inclined to not only spare geothermal but also bolster its relatively meager aid. Daniel Moore, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meager 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager
Adjective
  • The film’s sparse, handmade 16-mm aesthetic, which visually recalls influences ranging from early German Expressionism to the work of Guy Maddin, primarily sells the film’s outlandish fantastical conceit, despite its derivative nature.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The meditative song highlights Future’s confessional over sparse production.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Polanski, although food was scarce, by some miracle Ryszard’s mother, Regina, managed to procure hot chocolate for the kids.
    Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Heavy snowfall blanketed the area for the next three days, temperatures hovered at well below freezing, and daylight was scarce.
    Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Understand that poor sleep hygiene can negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Texans’ offensive line was mostly poor this season, unable to consistently protect Stroud.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near meager

Cite this Entry

“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on meager

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