adjective
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economical or frugal (with)
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scanty; meagre
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merciful or lenient
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sparing
A Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at spare, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Are we better off just paying the debt completely now, and sparing the house?
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
In December, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted her diversion due to mental health issues, sparing her potential jail time.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Cities like Dubai and Riyadh, which have long taken pride in their safety from the tumult of the region, have been drawn in, with the growing chaos sparing few countries in Iran's vicinity.
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
Today, in a supposedly more humane age, the perfect weapon is one that does minimum damage, sparing the innocent by targeting the guilty with maximum precision and surprise.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026
Rymund the Rhymer sang through all the courses, sparing her the need to talk.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
