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
Details on how the agency will implement the change are also scant. Maya Goldman, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 In Kennedy’s view, Americans are not uniquely beset by a privatized fee-for-service labyrinth characterized by administrative bloat, scant price regulation, a hospital system hollowed out by private equity, and rampant, grotesque greed. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 8 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
  • Team Harris’s strategy appeared to rely heavily on a short campaign window, with a sparse interview schedule, slow windup to unscripted events, and ambiguous policy positions.
    W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But as lashes become shorter, thinner, and more sparse over time, the best mascara for older women step in to lift the lashes—and the spirits—up.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a dramatic break with much of their party, ten Senate Democrats voted alongside Republicans on Friday to pass a six-month funding bill, averting a government shutdown with just hours to spare.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Elise Caffee’s face was spared, but the rest of her body was badly burned, her family said.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When football resumed, money was scarce and plans for a new bridge into Salford and a car park were delayed.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Majors said he's been taking meetings on a superhero film project, though details were scarce.
    Michileen Martin, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Americans in New Jersey and Delaware have been urged to conserve water amid drought conditions and wildfires.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This can help align incentives and conserve precious capital.
    Joseph Edgar, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In an effort to attract younger consumers who value sustainability and transparency, producers must have environmental certifications that demonstrate a commitment to conserving resources and preserving the Earth.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Eventually, the city reached a compromise on the rail issue: a single track would be preserved for freight service.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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