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Definitions

meager

[mee-ger] / ˈmi gər /
ADJECTIVE
small, inadequate; poor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insufficient mere minimum miserable paltry puny scant scanty skimpy sparse tenuous
STRONG
scrimpy
WEAK
bare barren deficient exiguous flimsy inappreciable inconsiderable infertile insubstantial little scrimp shabby short skimp slender slight spare subtle too little too late unfinished unfruitful unproductive wanting weak
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adequate ample enough generous plentiful rich significant substantial sufficient wealthy
WEAK
big fat full large liberal plenty wide
ADJECTIVE
very thin
Synonyms
STRONGEST
slim tenuous
WEAK
angular bare beanpole beanstalk bony broomstick emaciated gangling gangly gaunt hungry lacking lank lanky lean lithe little narrow rattleboned rawboned scraggy scrawny skin and bones skinny slender spare starved stinted stunted underfed wanting willowy withered
Antonyms
WEAK
adequate big fat full large liberal plenty substantial sufficient wide

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.

In Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, the IMF warned that a number of countries were already struggling with meager foreign reserves and "limited market access," making them vulnerable to "dangerous" debt shocks.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Some people wanted to see Simpson punished, while others viewed his acquittal as vindication, however meager, for decades’ worth of societal abuse.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

The worry is they are building more computing power than they will be able to monetize, and returns on investment could be meager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

ADP said businesses created a meager 22,000 new jobs in January, suggesting little improvement in a fragile labor market in which work has become much harder to find.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

It was called sharecropping, and it involved black families raising and harvesting crops for white landowners in exchange for a humble place to live and a meager share of the crops.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Vocabulary lists containing meager

List 1

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Tuck Everlasting

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"Of Mice and Men"

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