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Showing results for economical.
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.

The pork chop — economical, widely available, theoretically versatile — simply didn’t make the cut.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

This will obviate the need to travel to entertainment venues and make access economical and on-demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

As a result, researchers have been searching for a more efficient and economical way to produce these exceptionally tough materials.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

It has all the qualities we admire in language: it’s handy, succinct, and economical, and everybody knows what it means.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing economical

Commonly Confused Words, List 1

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"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry

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Ronald Reagan, "Tear Down This Wall" (1987)

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