sparser; sparsest
: of few and scattered elements
especially
: not thickly grown or settled
Synonyms
Examples of sparse in a Sentence
open land is sparse around here
Recent Examples on the Web
Polling in the three weeks since Harris took the mantle from Biden is sparse, but the Real Clear Politics aggregate of polls in Georgia shows Trump clinging to a 0.8-point lead, with one poll showing Harris in the lead.
—
Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Aug. 2024
Evidence is sparse Though natural parenting makes substantial demands on mothers, in almost every case, the evidence supporting its tenets is either lacking or exaggerated.
—Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Above that energy, photons will be sparse (they may still be produced by things like processes that accelerate particles).
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 31 July 2024
Trump received a lukewarm reception with sparse applause and audible boos from attendees.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sparse 
Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Aug. 2024
Evidence is sparse Though natural parenting makes substantial demands on mothers, in almost every case, the evidence supporting its tenets is either lacking or exaggerated.
—Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Above that energy, photons will be sparse (they may still be produced by things like processes that accelerate particles).
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 31 July 2024
Trump received a lukewarm reception with sparse applause and audible boos from attendees.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sparse
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sparse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sparse
Cite this Entry
“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparse. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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sparse
adjective
sparser; sparsest
: of few and scattered elements
especially
: not thickly grown or settled
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