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Synonyms

sparingly

American  
[spair-ing-lee] / ˈspɛər ɪŋ li /

adverb

  1. in an economical or limited way.

    Nutritionists recommend eating fats sparingly.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of sparingly

sparing ( def. ) + -ly

Vocabulary lists containing sparingly

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.

See Examples For:

There have always been people who drank sparingly or didn’t drink at all.

From Salon Aug. 15, 2026

After playing sparingly for three years at Texas A&M, King established himself as a dual threat at Georgia Tech over the last three seasons.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 7, 2026

As a homeowner, explore non-chemical alternatives first, and apply any treatments sparingly and responsibly to minimize harm to beneficial insects and other wildlife.

From Science Daily Jul. 29, 2026

He’s tiny and delicate, with a full head of black hair, sleeping, wrapped in a blanket printed sparingly with rubber ducks.

From Slate Jul. 19, 2026

Boobie played sparingly the following week in a 48—2 win over Dallas Jesuit that upped Permian’s record to six and one.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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