Definitions

economical

[ek-uh-nom-i-kuhl, ee-kuh-] / ˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl, ˌi kə- /

ADJECTIVE

conservative with resources; careful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cost-effective efficient practical prudent

WEAK

avaricious canny chary circumspect close closefisted curmudgeonly frugal meager mean methodical miserly money-saving on the rims parsimonious penny-pinching penny-wise penurious provident prudential saving scrimping skimping spare sparing stingy thrifty tight time-saving unwasteful watchful work-saving

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inefficient

WEAK

careless uncareful uneconomical unreasonable wasteful

ADJECTIVE

inexpensive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheap reasonable

WEAK

bare-bones bought for a song cost next to nothing cost nothing cut-rate dime a dozen dirt-cheap dog cheap fair low low tariff low-priced marked down moderate modest on sale quite a buy reduced sound steal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

expensive

WEAK

uneconomical unreasonable

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.

Those factors have pushed the costs to build smelters and refineries in the U.S. beyond what is economical for many operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Zink Collection, a retailer of small accessories, says it uses the most economical shipping method available and tries to charge customers only part of the shipping cost.

From The Wall Street Journal

Essentially, it’s too expensive to run the plant at full capacity at this time given the availability of other more economical supplies, but out-of-state money could make it worth the agency’s while.

From Los Angeles Times

That homage did not extend to long soliloquy; “Burn the Water” is intentionally economical.

From Los Angeles Times

Part of the Brassicaceae family, cabbage has a historical reputation for being an economical choice of food.

From Salon

economical

Example Sentences

Related Words