Niggardliness

Niggardliness refers to extreme frugality, stinginess, or parsimony; a reluctance to spend money or resources. It's the quality of being unwilling to give or spend, even when such actions would be reasonable or expected. This trait often stems from a fear of losing wealth or a strong attachment to one's possessions. A person exhibiting niggardliness is often seen as miserly and unwilling to share, even in circumstances where generosity would be appropriate. The term implies a degree of meanness or pettiness beyond simple thriftiness.

Niggardliness meaning with examples

• The old miser's niggardliness was legendary; he hoarded his fortune, refusing to spend even a penny on improving his dilapidated mansion or providing basic comforts for himself. He even went to great pains to avoid any and all charity.
• Despite the charity's urgent appeal for donations, the wealthy businessman's niggardliness prevented him from offering any financial support. He claimed to be conserving his capital for investments, despite his vast holdings which could readily spare donations.
• Her niggardliness was evident in how she always brought her own teabags to friends' houses, and she would scold them when they ran out, or, alternatively, how she'd refuse to purchase the expensive ingredients for dinner.
• The villagers criticized the mayor's niggardliness, as he refused to allocate funds for necessary infrastructure repairs, leading to further decay and hardships for the community.
• Their niggardliness extended to the smallest of details; they would reuse teabags, hoard hotel toiletries, and always haggle over the smallest prices, even when the difference was negligible.