Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective parsimonious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of parsimonious are close, miserly, niggardly, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When could close be used to replace parsimonious?

While in some cases nearly identical to parsimonious, 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 parsimonious?

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

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to parsimonious?

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

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

When would penurious be a good substitute for parsimonious?

The words penurious and parsimonious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

In what contexts can stingy take the place of parsimonious?

In some situations, the words stingy and parsimonious are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 parsimonious And sometimes the truest, most parsimonious explanation is just kind of boring. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2024 That's probably why the recent program to observe the Crab emerged victorious in the stiff competition for JWST's precious observing time; the parsimonious prospect of solving two different mysteries with one set of observations is just the kind of thing scientists love. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Serving Suggestions Giant cookies are, by nature, not meant for parsimonious consumption. Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023 Hers was a parsimonious approach, leaving a good inch or inch-and-a-half of outer crust untouched by any ingredient. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for parsimonious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parsimonious
Adjective
  • Strategic owners may focus on growth, angels on early exits and VCs on IPOs, but these can align with careful planning.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • From general manager Kyle Davidson on down, the Blackhawks are always careful not to criticize Jones.
    Scott Powers, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While casual fans and explosive-offense junkies may tap out early (not for nothing did the Vegas books set the over/under at a miserly 44.5 points), the stakes are far too high to pass up on the inaugural semifinal of the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The wage increase of $8.25 a month seems a miserly addition.
    Chloe Berger, Fortune Asia, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, Souleymane Traore demonstrates how pursuing one’s goals with purpose and determination is never selfish.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In a closed-door lunch the next day, senators said the president was being selfish.
    Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • How inflation is impacting America Are greedy companies to blame for grocery inflation?
    Juweek Adolphe, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The internal struggle is real: push too hard and risk being perceived as greedy, or settle for less and face future regret.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Every year, a complacent, tightfisted city council turned down the recommendations.
    Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Kotick played the tightfisted owner of the Oakland A’s.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 May 2023
Adjective
  • Her blond tresses were pulled back into a tight bun held together by a large clip.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
  • In the immediate aftermath of the Chargers clinching their first playoff berth since 2022, the coach wrapped the general manager in a tight, two-armed hug in the locker room.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the last two seasons, Texas has fielded one of the stingiest defenses in the country.
    Sam Khan Jr., The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Chargers authored the league’s stingiest defense in terms of points allowed (17.7 per game), and the recent return of J.K. Dobbins from a knee injury gives them an explosive option in a backfield that can also grind out tough yardage behind a stout offensive line.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But neither can anyone seriously accuse the United States of being ungenerous with its citizens’ lives and treasure or of having no ideals.
    Joshua Landis, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2016
  • This is the problem with the show: These women are just concocting reasons why the people on the other side suck, and it’s become the most uncharitable, the most ungenerous thing on Bravo.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Parsimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parsimonious. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

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