as miserly as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as miserly as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's stinginess or unwillingness to spend money to something or someone else, often in a humorous or exaggerated context. Example: "He was as miserly as Scrooge, refusing to donate even a penny to charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Or perhaps it is optimism: almost uniquely among nations, a majority of Americans think their success is largely determined by factors within their control, according to the Pew Research Centre in 2003.But how can a society as wealthy as America tolerate any percentage of its citizens remaining under a poverty line as miserly as $18,810 for a family of four?

The Economist

The ultimate redemption story it's genius is in bringing us all into the Christmas narrative, because none of us are quite as miserly as old Ebenezer and even he manages to get into the spirit, with the help of those literal spirits.

The Guardian

But I'm not just handing stuff to people on a silver platter if I can help it I'm going to be every bit as miserly as any corporate exec.

BBC

While the average global bond fund listed in the table directly above has annual expenses of $1.17 per $100 in assets, the two no-load Standish Mellon funds are noteworthy for their low overhead; they are as miserly as the $0.59 per $100 in assets for Standish International Fixed Income.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Kind of Blue," slow and emotional, as miserly with chord changes as "Giant Steps" is extravagant with them, remains a great jazz record.

The New York Times - Arts

Sterling was seen as miserly.

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, officers are almost unanimously bitter over a pay scale roundly criticized as miserly in an economy that for years has offered attractive alternatives.

The New York Times

Deftly turning the tables on Labor, he criticized government efforts to hold the line on pension increases as "miserly" and said pensioners were the "unwanted, unwelcome and uncool guests at New Labor's banquet".

The New York Times

We don't rate Wanderers quite as highly as Nigel Pearson's men but they're almost as miserly and we'd fancy Town to over-commit themselves at some point, leaving the door open for the visitors to plunder their fourth successive away win, the previous three of which were all achieved with a clean sheet.

Independent

Council workers in Scotland have narrowly voted against going on strike over a pay offer described by their union Unison "as miserly".

BBC

Obviously, people in America do get paid annual leave, but for most wage earners it is subject to so many different calculations based on seniority and how much you earn, it can only be described as miserly.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as miserly as" when you want to emphasize an extreme unwillingness to spend money, drawing a comparison to a well-known or stereotypical example of stinginess.

Common error

Be careful not to use "as miserly as" when simply describing someone who is careful with their money. Miserliness implies an excessive and often unpleasant degree of stinginess, unlike simple frugality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as miserly as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize the degree to which someone or something exhibits stinginess. This phrase intensifies the description by drawing a direct comparison, aligning with what Ludwig AI says about comparing stinginess.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as miserly as" is a grammatically sound comparative construction used to highlight extreme stinginess. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively draws a parallel to emphasize a person or entity's unwillingness to spend money. While not as common as alternatives like "as stingy as" or "as tight-fisted as", it is often found in News & Media contexts. Remember that while being frugal is generally positive, "miserly" carries a negative connotation of excessive stinginess. When using "as miserly as", ensure the context warrants the implication of extreme unwillingness to spend, lest you be misunderstood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as stingy as

This alternative directly replaces "miserly" with a more common synonym, maintaining a similar level of intensity.

as ungenerous as

This alternative directly contrasts with generosity, highlighting the lack of willingness to share.

as tight-fisted as

This phrase uses a figurative expression to convey a lack of generosity, offering a slightly more informal tone.

as parsimonious as

This alternative introduces a more formal and technical term for frugality, suitable for more sophisticated contexts.

as penurious as

Similar to "parsimonious", this term carries a more formal and somewhat archaic feel.

as frugal as

Focuses on the positive aspect of saving money, reducing the negative connotation of "miserly".

as thrifty as

Emphasizes careful management of resources, potentially removing the negative implication of excessive saving.

as cheap as

This alternative suggests a willingness to compromise quality for the sake of saving money, adding a dimension not present in the original phrase.

as money-grubbing as

This phrase conveys a strong desire for wealth, often at the expense of others, intensifying the negative connotation.

as avaricious as

This alternative introduces a more intense form of greed, emphasizing an insatiable desire for riches.

FAQs

How can I use "as miserly as" in a sentence?

You can use "as miserly as" to compare someone's stinginess to a well-known figure or stereotype. For example, "He's "as miserly as" Scrooge."

What's a more common alternative to "as miserly as"?

Alternatives like "as stingy as" or "as tight-fisted as" are more frequently used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "as frugal as" and "as miserly as"?

"As frugal as" suggests careful spending and avoiding waste, while "as miserly as" implies an excessive unwillingness to spend money, even when necessary.

Is it appropriate to describe a company "as miserly as" something?

Yes, you can describe a company "as miserly as" something if it's known for cutting costs to an extreme degree, often at the expense of its employees or customers.