Synonyms for

Sparse

Verb / spɑ:rs / Another word for sparse — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Scattered or thinly dispersed.

Synonyms & similar words

thin scarce meager thin light rare inadequate insufficient sporadic scanty limited few scattered dilute slight skimpy paltry modest minimal restricted uncommon

Synonyms by register

Formal

meager scant limited infrequent

Informal

thin few scattered patchy

Literary

attenuated ethereal diffuse

Antonyms

dense thick abundant plentiful crowded copious lush

Common collocations

  • sparse population
  • sparse vegetation
  • sparse data
  • sparse hair
  • sparse distribution
  • sparse attendance
  • sparse resources

Word family

noun sparseness
adverb sparsely

Usage note

Sparse typically describes things that are thinly dispersed or scattered. It is often used to describe populations, vegetation, or data.

Example sentences

  1. The forest was sparse with trees.
  2. His hair was sparse and thinning.
  3. The crowd at the concert was sparse.
  4. The grass was sparse in the desert.
  5. The soup was too sparse to be filling.

Quotes

  • "I cannot make bricks without straw but I can make something greater than bricks out of the straw that is left, and that is exactly what I am doing." - Sparse Grey Hackle
  • "The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion." - Arnold H. Glasow
  • "The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing." - Marcus Aurelius

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