MISERLY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'miserly' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of miserly are close , niggardly , parsimonious , penurious , and stingy . While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding. // a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Q: When can 'close' be used instead of 'miserly'?

Although the words close and miserly have much in common, close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions. // folks who are very close when charity calls

Q: When is it sensible to use 'niggardly' instead of 'miserly'?

While the synonyms niggardly and miserly are close in meaning, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible. // the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

Q: Where would 'parsimonious' be a reasonable alternative to 'miserly'?

The synonyms parsimonious and miserly are sometimes interchangeable, but parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess. // a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

Q: When would 'penurious' be a good substitute for 'miserly'?

The words penurious and miserly can be used in similar contexts, but penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty. // the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

Q: When is 'stingy' a more appropriate choice than 'miserly'?

While in some cases nearly identical to miserly , stingy implies a marked lack of generosity. // a stingy child, not given to sharing

miserly

adjective

ˈmī-zər-lē

Definition of miserly next

as in selfish

giving or sharing as little as possible my brother, who is notoriously miserly, surprised us when he offered to pick up the tab

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective miserly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of miserly are close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

When can close be used instead of miserly?

Although the words close and miserly have much in common, close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When is it sensible to use niggardly instead of miserly?

While the synonyms niggardly and miserly are close in meaning, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

Where would parsimonious be a reasonable alternative to miserly?

The synonyms parsimonious and miserly are sometimes interchangeable, but parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When would penurious be a good substitute for miserly?

The words penurious and miserly can be used in similar contexts, but penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When is stingy a more appropriate choice than miserly?

While in some cases nearly identical to miserly, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 miserly The book is a 92-page novel about Scrooge, a miserly man transformed into a better person after the ghost of Marley, his former partner, and three Spirits visit him on Christmas Eve and show him his past, present, and future. —

Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024 The reinvention still follows the familiar beats of Scrooge's Christmas haunting: Three ghosts, each representing Christmas past (Andy Serkis), present (Charlotte Riley), and future (Jason Flemyng) show the miserly businessman the error of his ways. —

Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024 Smart Care can free up valuable storage space, an important function considering most Macs come with miserly amounts of storage. —

Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Sneak-peek images of the one-time-only giveaway souvenirs had quickly been met with ridicule online for their ultra-minimalist design — seen by some as one last miserly indignity directed at a loyal fanbase. —

Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for miserly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserly

Adjective

Martin, who at this point knows just how selfish and destructive Tomas is, caves to his worst impulses and tops him silly.

— Samantha Allen, Them, 10 Feb. 2025
While Zoe and Grant chat on the rooftop patio, everyone else mills around in the gym, complaining about their rival’s selfish mood.

— Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025