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sparse

adjective
\ ˈspärs How to pronounce sparse (audio) \
sparser; sparsest

Definition of sparse

: of few and scattered elements especially : not thickly grown or settled
Other Words from sparse Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about sparse

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Other Words from sparse

sparsely adverb
sparseness noun
sparsity \ ˈspär-​sə-​tē How to pronounce sparsity (audio) , -​stē \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for sparse

meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, sparse mean falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable. meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency. a meager portion of meat scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent. supplies too scanty to last the winter scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential. in January the daylight hours are scant skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency. tacky housing developments on skimpy lots spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity. a spare, concise style of writing sparse implies a thin scattering of units. a sparse population

Examples of sparse in a Sentence

open land is sparse around here

Recent Examples on the Web

 Might have been nice if there were more fans to witness it, but the crowd was sparse – no doubt the combined result of the unheralded opponent and the fact that this is one of the final big summer beach weekends. — Peter Schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Terps overwhelm Howard, pay coincidental tribute to Jordan McNair by putting his No. 79 on scoreboard," 1 Sep. 2019 On Fort Lauderdale's beaches, crowds were sparse, despite sunshine, temperatures in the low 90s and a mild breeze. — Anchorage Daily News, "Hurricane Dorian’s unpredictable path has officials, residents in four states unsettled," 1 Sep. 2019 Response from Indonesian authorities has been sparse. — Time, "Protests in West Papua Have Turned Violent Amid an Internet Blackout. Here's What to Know," 29 Aug. 2019 The restrictions have been eased slowly, with some businesses reopening, some landline phone service restored, and some grade schools holding classes again, though student and teacher attendance has been sparse. — Ashok Sharma, BostonGlobe.com, "India’s top court to examine change in Kashmir’s status," 28 Aug. 2019 The room is sparse save for a large, formal portrait of the former head of neurosurgery. — David Armstrong, ProPublica, "In Men, It’s Parkinson’s. In Women, It’s Hysteria.," 23 Aug. 2019 Birthdays were to be celebrated, even when money was sparse. — Shannon Ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Sister Jean, a fixture at Loyola basketball games, turns 100 today. Her secret to a long life? ‘I eat well and sleep well. And hopefully I pray well.’," 21 Aug. 2019 Information about damage to the base has been sparse since. — Los Angeles Times, "Ridgecrest earthquakes caused up to $5 billion in damage to China Lake naval base," 14 Aug. 2019 Civic and social organizations were sparse throughout the country, with pockets of strength in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and southern Florida. — Thomas Frank, Scientific American, "Southern U.S. Lags North on Disaster Resilience," 12 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sparse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sparse

1753, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sparse

Latin sparsus spread out, from past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark

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More Definitions for sparse

sparse

adjective
How to pronounce sparse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sparse

: present only in small amounts : less than necessary or normal especially : thinly covering an area : not thick or full

See the full definition for sparse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sparse

adjective
\ ˈspärs How to pronounce sparse (audio) \
sparser; sparsest

Kids Definition of sparse

: not thickly grown or settled a sparse beard

Other Words from sparse

sparsely adverb a sparsely populated village

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