scant 1 of 2

scant

2 of 2

verb

as in to spare
to use or give out in stingy amounts don't scant the peanut butter on those sandwiches!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scant are meager, scanty, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," 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 is meager a more appropriate choice than scant?

The meanings of meager and scant largely overlap; however, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When could scanty be used to replace scant?

The words scanty and scant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of scant?

The synonyms skimpy and scant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 scant?

While in some cases nearly identical to scant, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

When is it sensible to use sparse instead of scant?

The words sparse and scant can be used in similar contexts, but sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

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 scant
Adjective
Pitino’s turnaround at New Mexico, a program that had scant success since joining the Mountain West in 1999, and his familiarity with the Big East make for an intriguing pairing at Xavier, a school that invests heavily in hoops and where reaching the NCAA Tournament is a baseline expectation. Justin Williams, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Despite claims that every single individual deported was thoroughly vetted, immigration officials have provided scant evidence. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
There were few roads or trails or even paths to follow and scant potable water, but plenty of pit vipers and tarantulas. Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2022 In most cases, the Electoral College vote is a mere formality that carries no drama and garners scant public attention. Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for scant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scant
Adjective
  • Prevent seeds from establishing by maintaining a healthy lawn, stop seed germination with pre-emergent herbicides, Maintain a Healthy Lawn Dandelions thrive in thin, sparse lawns and garden beds.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The trend left a lasting impact on Marchand and others in her generation who were left with sparse, barely-there brows.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since October 7th, Israel has publicly pledged to spare nonmilitary infrastructure and personnel.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Last year, the two congressmen wrote Chen a letter urging her to spare McMahon prison time, citing his service as a police officer and dedication to his family.
    Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Details of who makes up the DOGE staff have been scarce despite the intense media attention on the team's efforts.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As a rule, if rain is scarce, a crepe myrtle needs two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The regulations were placed in an effort to conserve water and energy resources, as well as lower utility bills.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This consistency also makes this after-sun lotion great for daily use to keep skin hydrated and preserve your tan.
    Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Currently, visitors to Maui can assist in restoring and preserving the island’s cultural and archaeological sites with Maui Cultural Lands or participate in cleanup events and invasive species removal with Malama Maui Nui.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scant. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!