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to husband

to husband

3 8.1
To use money or supplies carefully so they last longer
  • verb
  • /ˈhʌzbənd/
  • Formal
translation icon : economizar
  • Victor's pusillanimity exemplifies the anxiety of an aging man obliged to husband his physical resources.
  • husbanded resources

Examples

  • But until we reached the shipwreck station, it was better to husband my energy and get as much sleep as possible.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Gaz-o-lean is expensive, and I will have to be one of those who will husband that resource. Except for heat.

    Blog text (33)
  • And for my means, I shall husband them so well, they shall go far with little.

  • Of course, it was understood that they would use their skills and intelligence to husband the land.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • You don't watch television or read newspapers; you husband what little money you can find a way to earn.

    Blog text (22)
  • Libya was Obama's shining example of husbanding a growing democratic movement called the Arab Spring.

    Blog text (28)
  • In response to these insecurities, black men such as Curtis tend to husband their resources and are usually extremely careful when recommending other blacks for jobs.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Stalin was the Great Calculator, carefully husbanding his resources, devouring his enemies, while cautiously bluffing in order to obscure his system's weaknesses.

    Academic text (1992)
  • In order to save for a vacation, we must husband our money wisely this year.

  • The organization aims to husband its resources to support more community projects.

Synonyms

to conserve
vsto husband
63 3.4

Protect something from harm or waste by using it carefully

emphasizes sparing, frugal use rather than protecting from damage or loss
to economize
vsto husband
  • US
7 5.0

Use money or resources carefully to avoid waste

focuses on sparing and frugal management rather than only saving money

Antonyms

469 1.2

Careless use of money, time, or other resources

67 6.5

To use money, time, or chances in a foolish way

Compounds

A man who looks after the home and family while his partner earns money

trophy husband
  • Offensive
1 7.9

A younger attractive husband kept mainly for his looks or status rather than his personality

A man who used to be married to a woman

A man who is married to your spouse's brother or sister

A right that stops a spouse from being forced to tell private conversations with their spouse during marriage in court

How Sparing

to scrimp
8 7.4
to husband
  • Formal
3 8.1
to economize
  • US
7 5.0
to conserve
63 3.4
to save
1.0

Surface Forms

husband infinitive
husbanded past
husbanded past participle
husbanding present participle
husbands third person singular

Etymology

Husband as a verb comes from the same root as the noun and meant the careful work of a householder who saved and managed goods. So to husband something today is to 'use carefully' or 'save' resources so they last.