Synonyms of frugal

frugal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrü-gəl 

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources

by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

frugality

2 of 2

noun

frü-ˈga-lə-tē 

as in economy

careful management of material resources

her lifelong frugality has enabled her to save enough money to go to college next year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economy
• saving
• thrift
• parsimony
• prudence
• scrimping
• temperance
• skimping
• providence
• husbandry
• penny-pinching
• conservation
• stinginess
• miserliness
• niggardliness
• moderation
• belt-tightening
• retrenchment
• restraint
• austerity
• discretion
• forehandedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wastefulness
• extravagance
• improvidence
• prodigality
• lavishness
• squandering
• diseconomy

Examples of frugal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Psychology of Money Big-spenders and frugal folks alike are invited to learn about the psychology of finances in this 200-level course. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024

Consumers across China have become more frugal as the country struggles with a prolonged real estate slump and rising unemployment. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2024

Noun

My parents were very cautious with money and maintained a pretty high level of frugality while having well-paying jobs and indulging in experiences such as nice vacations. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2024

The nearby Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is planning a riff on the Carters’ frugality. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 July 2024