sparing

American  

[spair-ing] / ˈspɛər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. economical (often followed by in orof ).

   Synonyms:

   penurious, saving, frugal

2. lenient or merciful.

3. scanty; limited.

   Synonyms:

   sparse, meager

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sparing British  

/ ˈspɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. economical or frugal (with)

2. scanty; meagre

3. merciful or lenient

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Other Word Forms

• nonsparing adjective
• oversparing adjective
• oversparingness noun
• sparingly adverb
• sparingness noun

Etymology

Origin of sparing

A Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; spare, -ing ²

Example Sentences

For sparing us that, the Buckley court deserves our enduring gratitude.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a miracle he is alive. Death struck randomly, taking one and sparing another.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But Ms. MeLampy is a gifted writer who works her grandmother’s material into her book with sparing pathos and plenty of humor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Agency for International Development while sparing the Pentagon significant cuts.

From Salon

If this process is caught in time, RA may be prevented before joint damage begins -- potentially sparing patients years of pain and disability.

From Science Daily