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View synonyms for scant

scant

[ skant ]

adjective

, scant·er, scant·est.
  1. barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate:

    to do scant justice.

  2. limited; meager; not large:

    a scant amount.

    Synonyms: restricted, small, scanty

  3. barely amounting to as much as indicated:

    a scant two hours; a scant cupful.

  4. having an inadequate or limited supply (usually followed by of ):

    scant of breath.

    Synonyms: deficient, wanting, lacking, short



verb (used with object)

  1. to make scant; diminish.

    Synonyms: curtail, decrease, reduce, lessen

  2. to stint the supply of; withhold.

    Synonyms: scrimp, skimp, restrict, limit

  3. to treat slightly or inadequately.

    Synonyms: neglect, slight

adverb

  1. Scot. and North England Dialect. scarcely; barely; hardly.

scant

/ skænt /

adjective

  1. scarcely sufficient; limited

    he paid her scant attention

  2. prenominal slightly short of the amount indicated; bare

    a scant ten inches

  3. postpositivefoll byof having a short supply (of)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to limit in size or quantity
  2. to provide with a limited or inadequate supply of
  3. to treat in a slighting or inadequate manner
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. scarcely; barely
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈscantly, adverb
  • ˈscantness, noun
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Other Words From

  • scantly adverb
  • scantness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scant1

1325–75; Middle English (adj.) < Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr short
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scant1

C14: from Old Norse skamt, from skammr /short; related to Old High German scam
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Example Sentences

Such drill holes augment the scant fossil record of octopus evolution.

Details about the project are scant, but here’s what we know about it.

So far, however, there’s scant detail on what this pivot actually means beyond what’s been teased in the video used to launch the partnership.

From Digiday

There’s scant clinical evidence that a 12-week gap will be as effective as a 21-day one.

From Fortune

Their actions drew scant condemnation from Western politicians.

From Time

Retailers were hammered by the scheme because checks and balances were scant in 2012, when the eBay grifting peaked.

But even if the promised money does finally arrive, there is scant guarantee it will be used appropriately.

How sad, then, that her writings make scant mention the other great thinkers of her age.

But they provide scant details about why Alexander bought and sold shares when he did, or even how much.

Indeed there is a pre-Hispanic ceremonial site located a scant 400 meters from the outer edge of the Otomí Lake & Villas property.

History gives them scant notice, and the Federal government has failed to reward them as they deserve.

The big gray sedan carrying Delancy and his pals, hit the suburban town at a scant seventy miles an hour.

But, fortunately, they had scant time for repining, and there is nothing like active occupation to banish useless brooding.

On arriving he tendered the driver sixpence, which was strictly the fare, though but scant remuneration for the distance.

These flats were free from stones and covered with a scant growth of cottonwoods and pions.

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