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

\/\/ a parsimonious<\/em> lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'close' be used to replace 'parsimonious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to parsimonious<\/em>, close<\/em><\/a> suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.<\/p>

\/\/ folks who are very close<\/em> when charity calls<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'miserly' instead of 'parsimonious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of miserly<\/em><\/a> and parsimonious<\/em> largely overlap; however, miserly<\/em> suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.<\/p>

\/\/ a miserly<\/em> couple devoid of social conscience<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'niggardly' be a reasonable alternative to 'parsimonious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms niggardly<\/em><\/a> and parsimonious<\/em> are close in meaning, niggardly<\/em> implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.<\/p>

\/\/ the niggardly<\/em> amount budgeted for the town library<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'penurious' be a good substitute for 'parsimonious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words penurious<\/em><\/a> and parsimonious<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, penurious<\/em> implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.<\/p>

\/\/ the penurious<\/em> eccentric bequeathed a fortune<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'stingy' take the place of 'parsimonious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words stingy<\/em><\/a> and parsimonious<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, stingy<\/em> implies a marked lack of generosity.<\/p>

\/\/ a stingy<\/em> child, not given to sharing<\/p>" } } ] }

parsimonious

adjective

ËŒpär-sÉ™-ˈmō-nÄ“-É™s How to pronounce parsimonious (audio)
Definition of parsimoniousnext
as in miserly
giving or sharing as little as possible a parsimonious woman who insists that charity begins—and ends—at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 parsimonious But German defense outlays were notoriously parsimonious, and fast growth seemed improbable. —Gerry Doyle, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026 The eye, though, is much more parsimonious, focusing its attention only on a small part of the visual scene at any one time—namely, the part of the scene that changes, like the fluttering of a leaf or a golf ball splashing into water. —Christoph Posch, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Nov. 2025 California voters acted with urgency, but implementation efforts have been met with petulance and parsimonious budgetary support that is barely one fourth of what is needed. —Steve Smith, Oc Register, 18 Nov. 2025 Chelsea are famously parsimonious in the transfer market, after all. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parsimonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parsimonious
  1. miserly
  2. selfish
  3. greedy
  4. tightfisted
  5. tight
  6. stingy
  7. ungenerous
  8. penurious
Adjective
  • The latest Wilderness model will sport the most miserly powertrain of all the vehicles in that sub-brand, Subaru says.
    — Marty Padgett, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Como had been neck-and-neck with Roma’s miserly backline before shipping four at Inter last Saturday, a chastening defeat that ended an unbeaten run stretching back to the end of August.
    — Jack Bantock, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Definition of miserly
Adjective
  • Ordinary humans like Stephen’s selfish boss are depicted as giant walking eggs, while others are proportioned like bobble heads.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Terms like gaman—spelled with the kanji 我 (ego, I, selfish, our, oneself) and æ…¢ (ridicule, laziness)—are proof of this, as are the kigo terms that describe the emotions of the changing seasons, like kachōfÅ«getsu—composed of the kanji 花 (flower), é³¥ (bird), 風 (wind), and月(moon).
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of selfish
Adjective
  • The first time, Julian’s children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning) seemed like miserable, greedy wretches.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
  • But whether or not the good are rewarded, the greedy get their comeuppance, or old creative sparks are rekindled soon become beside the point.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of greedy
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
Definition of tightfisted
Adjective
  • Within minutes of leaving town, the pavement twists downward through tight turns and steep grades as the mountain air begins to warm, the vegetation giving way to chaparral and scattered juniper, then to the stark silhouettes of ocotillo and Mojave yucca.
    — Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Even amid tighter budgets, 70 percent of consumers still prioritize value, with campaigns that tap into sentiment, tradition and early engagement performing best.
    — Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Michigan made only two three-pointers all night but still muscled its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn Connecticut.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The Fullerton softball team fell victim to the long ball and a stingy pitcher for Norco in the championship game of the Michelle Carew Classic on Saturday at Peralta Park.
    — Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of stingy
Adjective
  • There’s an ungenerous and shallow way to look at this film as little more than a highlight reel of Hammer’s work, a paltry substitute for actually spending meaningful time with the work itself.
    — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Stars and billionaires are calling out the super-rich for being ungenerous As the world mints hundreds of thousands of millionaires yearly and billionaire wealth soars to record highs, some leaders can’t stand to stay quiet.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of ungenerous
Adjective
  • There’s a cast of wanderers, visionaries, and itinerants, the self-educated and self-published, a long lineage of cranks and outcasts, mostly penurious, always opinionated, stretching away into the mists of pseudohistory.
    — Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Then the usually penurious Indians suddenly splurged.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Definition of penurious

Browse Nearby Words

parses
parsimonious
parsimoniously
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Cite this Entry

“Parsimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parsimonious. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of parsimonious for Spanish Speakers

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