Tightfisted
easyNegative toneTYT-fis-tid
adjective
Definition
Not willing to spend or give much money; stingy
Memory hook
FIST clenched TIGHT around money, refusing to let go — stingy and miserly.
Examples
“The tightfisted landlord refused to make repairs.”
“Despite his wealth, he was notoriously tightfisted.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The ______ landlord refused to make repairs.”
Show answer
tightfisted
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Tightfisted is a easy-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "miserly" or "parsimonious" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "generous".
Related GRE Words
closefisted
Unwilling to spend money; miserly
miserly
Of or characteristic of a miser; stingy and hoarding wealth
stinting
Restrictive or ungenerous in giving or spending
niggardly
Not generous; stingy (note: no racial connection despite sound)
frugal
Sparing or economical with regard to money or food
parsimonious
Unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy
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