sparing

(verb) refrain from harming. Synonyms: spare, save.

(verb) save or relieve from an experience or action. Synonyms: spare. Example: "I'll spare you from having to apologize formally."

(verb) give up what is not strictly needed. Synonyms: spare, give up, part with, dispense with. Example: "He asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey."

(verb) use frugally or carefully. Synonyms: spare.

(adj) avoiding waste. Synonyms: economical, frugal, scotch, stinting. Examples: "An economical meal." "An economical shopper." "A frugal farmer." "A frugal lunch." "A sparing father and a spending son." "Sparing in their use of heat and light." "Stinting in bestowing gifts." "Thrifty because they remember the great depression." "`scotch' is used only informally."