sparing

[spair-ing]

adjective

1. economical (often followed by in orof ).

   Synonyms: penurious, saving, frugal

2. lenient or merciful.

3. scanty; limited.

   Synonyms: sparse, meager

sparing

/ ˈspɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. economical or frugal (with)

2. scanty; meagre

3. merciful or lenient

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sparing¹

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

Example Sentences

When At-211 is positioned within or near tumors, its alpha emissions penetrate just deep enough to eliminate cancerous cells while sparing surrounding organs.

Read more on Science Daily

While the court deliberates, both sides are left sparing over how many children will go hungry if the other prevails.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By sparing no details, Allen’s rewritten the rule book for a new age.

Read more on Salon

The 60-year-old said he felt "perversely lucky" since the parents involved had passed away, sparing him "difficult conversations".

Read more on BBC

Perhaps most painful among the nurses’ many miseries is their isolation: the secrets they keep in hopes of sparing their loved ones an iota of extra suffering.

Read more on Los Angeles Times