NIGGARDLY Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of niggardly are close , miserly , parsimonious , penurious , and stingy . While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible. // the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

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

Although the words close and niggardly 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 'miserly' instead of 'niggardly'?

The meanings of miserly and niggardly largely overlap; however, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding. // a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

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

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

Q: When could 'penurious' be used to replace 'niggardly'?

While in some cases nearly identical to niggardly , penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty. // the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

Q: When would 'stingy' be a good substitute for 'niggardly'?

The words stingy and niggardly can be used in similar contexts, but stingy implies a marked lack of generosity. // a stingy child, not given to sharing

niggardly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈni-gərd-lē

Definition of niggardly next

as in miserly

giving or sharing as little as possible They were shocked when the company's niggardly owner at long last gave out raises.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable niggardly portions of meat for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

niggardly

2 of 2

adverb

as in stingily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective niggardly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of niggardly are close, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When can close be used instead of niggardly?

Although the words close and niggardly 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 miserly instead of niggardly?

The meanings of miserly and niggardly largely overlap; however, miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would parsimonious be a reasonable alternative to niggardly?

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

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When could penurious be used to replace niggardly?

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

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When would stingy be a good substitute for niggardly?

The words stingy and niggardly can be used in similar contexts, but 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 niggardly

Adjective

Many Chileans are angry about the country’s unequal distribution of wealth and power, about niggardly pensions (for which people are supposed to save themselves) and about long waiting times for doctors’ visits and poor schools. —

The Economist, 25 Dec. 2019 To tap one of the country’s two largest and most niggardly mines is hard enough. —

The Economist, 3 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggardly

Adjective

One of the things that bedeviled American politics this century is our close elections, which has made our parties and their leaders miserly with their political capital.

— Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
The wage increase of $8.25 a month seems a miserly addition.

— Chloe Berger, Fortune Asia, 9 Jan. 2025