Miserliness

Miserliness is the quality of being unwilling to spend money, often to the point of sacrificing personal happiness and the welfare of others. It describes a person's tendency to hoard resources instead of sharing or using them, flying in the face of generosity and community spirit. This extreme frugality can often lead to social isolation and a lack of meaningful relationships.

Miserliness meaning with examples

• Despite his immense wealth, Charles was known for his miserliness, often opting to wear old clothes rather than purchase new ones. His friends often joked that he would collect pennies from the ground instead of spending his money, prioritizing savings over enjoyment, which ultimately left him feeling lonely.
• Miserliness can sometimes disguise itself as frugality; however, there is a fine line between being thrifty and being miserly. For example, when Jill observed her coworker pulling coupons at lunch instead of enjoying a nice meal, she realized that her obsession with saving was bordering on miserliness.
• The old man's miserliness became the talk of the town after he refused to donate even a small amount to the local charity event. People were shocked that someone with his assets could be so unwilling to contribute, highlighting how miserliness can affect one’s reputation and relationships in the community.
• As Mary grew older, her miserliness worsened, leading her to refuse any help from others, including her children. They worried that her desire to save every penny was preventing her from enjoying her life fully, leaving her isolated and missing out on necessary social interactions.
• In literature, characters who exemplify miserliness, such as Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol', often serve as cautionary tales. Their unwillingness to share their wealth ultimately leads them to personal regret and redemption, illustrating how miserliness can have dire consequences on one's happiness and connectedness.