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Definition of sparing

sparing

/ˈspɛr.ɪŋ/
spar · ing
Adverb:sparingly
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sparing Lexical Profile

sparing Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Moderate, economical, or restrained in the use or distribution of something; frugal.

Example

"Doctors recommend a sparing use of salt in your daily diet to help maintain healthy blood pressure."

2

Showing mercy, leniency, or forbearance toward others.

Example

"The critic was surprisingly sparing in his review of the young director's flawed debut film."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sparing
Antonyms
View all antonyms for sparing

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'sparing' (moderate or frugal, with one 'r') with 'sparring' (engaging in practice boxing or verbal argument, with two 'r's).

• Rhymes for sparing

• Nearby Words

spareness
sparerib
sparganium
sparing
sparingly
spark
spark plug

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'sparian', meaning to refrain from injuring or to use frugally, derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*sparaz' (saving, frugal).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sparing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sparing
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