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to scant

to scant

7.3
To give less than is needed
  • verb
  • /skænt/
translation icon : escatimar
  • Leaders face an unattractive set of options: mastering the challenges of one segment of their political universe while scanting others; dealing with all problems superficially; or devolving large areas of policy to proconsuls and viceroys.

Movie scripts tend to scant on that characterization a little bit.

Examples

  • Stuck in the past, he failed to recognize the political impact that recent immigration and feminism, two subjects he scanted, had on the welfare debate.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Thompson's point, of course, is that the working class was not finally repressed at all because its history was such an integral part of British history, whose academic and historiographical patrons had hitherto scanted it.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Movie scripts tend to scant on that characterization a little bit.

  • But we've been scanting the audience can, could you go to somebody who's raised their hand?

  • Yet it is a familiar fact that these three writers, who scanted the middle ground of human intercourse, paid a high tribute to the natural scene and the ways in which it delighted us and fell into accord with our humblest needs and most exalted purposes.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Frances is, however, not just cold and impassive towards Henderson, but—propelled by an intellect that scants emotion—cruel with him.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The teacher often scants important details when explaining the lesson.

  • He tends to scant the feedback from his coworkers, focusing more on his own ideas.

  • In her report, she scanted the evidence that contradicted her main argument.

Synonyms

to skimp
vsto scant
16 5.8

Use less of something than is needed to save money or time

is about not giving enough, without implying a saving motive
to stint
vsto scant
2 7.4

To give or use only small amounts

is used for general insufficiency rather than deliberate sparing
to undersupply
vsto scant
5.3

To give less of something than people need

is about giving an insufficient or limited amount
to undertreat
vsto scant
8.0

To give less attention or care than needed

is about providing too little in amount rather than lacking care

How Much

to fulfill
  • US
265 2.8
to supply
400 1.6
to scant
7.3
to stint
2 7.4
to withhold
210 5.1
to deny
423 1.6

Surface Forms

scant infinitive
scanted past
scanted past participle
scanting present participle
scants third person singular

Etymology

Scant as a verb comes from an old word meaning 'short' or 'limited', so to scant something is to give it less than it needs and leave it 'short' of what it should have.