THRIFTY Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'thrifty' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of thrifty are economical , frugal , and sparing . While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," thrifty stresses good management and industry. // thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Q: When is 'economical' a more appropriate choice than 'thrifty'?

Although the words economical and thrifty have much in common, economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage. // an economical health-care plan

Q: When can 'frugal' be used instead of 'thrifty'?

The meanings of frugal and thrifty largely overlap; however, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle. // ran a frugal household

Q: When would 'sparing' be a good substitute for 'thrifty'?

The words sparing and thrifty can be used in similar contexts, but sparing stresses abstention and restraint. // sparing in the offering of advice

thrifty

adjective

ˈthrif-tē

Definition of thrifty

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

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How is the word thrifty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of thrifty are economical, frugal, and sparing. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

When is economical a more appropriate choice than thrifty?

Although the words economical and thrifty have much in common, economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

When can frugal be used instead of thrifty?

The meanings of frugal and thrifty largely overlap; however, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When would sparing be a good substitute for thrifty?

The words sparing and thrifty can be used in similar contexts, but sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of thrifty The most thrifty setting allows conservation of charge for use on the mountain playground. — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Still, the stereotype of the Spirit customer was not of a traveller cowed by a need to be thrifty. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026 Keep in mind that those 57 titles include a slew of indies from distributors that open their movies in the high hundreds of thousands to low millions off thrifty marketing budgets and easy marketplace access due to low digital print fees. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 May 2026 Before agreeing with Bregman in mid-January, the team’s future commitments — $39 million in 2027, $30 million in 2028 and $26 million in 2029 — were in the same range as the notoriously thrifty Cleveland Guardians. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrifty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrifty

Adjective

Conceived with an advanced hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, the vessel has a range of approximately 6,500 nautical miles at an economical cruising speed of 12 knots.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
This is so economical and an effective supplement to love declarations.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of economical

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thrift shops

thrifty

thrill

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“Thrifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrifty. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of thrifty

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