* Extreme stinginess: A miserly person is seen as unwilling to spend money even on basic necessities, often hoarding it for no apparent reason.
* Greed and selfishness: Miserliness is often associated with a lack of generosity and a focus on personal gain at the expense of others.
* Lack of empathy: A miserly person is perceived as uncaring and indifferent to the needs of others, particularly those in need.
* Unpleasant personality: The term often carries a judgmental tone, suggesting the person is unpleasant to be around due to their stinginess.
Examples:
* "He was so miserly that he refused to buy his wife a birthday present."
* "The company's miserly wages left its employees feeling exploited."
Other connotations:
* Negative comparison: The term implies that the person is not living a normal or reasonable lifestyle, but is instead excessively focused on saving money.
* Judgmental: It can be considered a harsh and critical judgment of someone's character.
Note: While "miserly" carries a negative connotation, "thrifty" or "frugal" can have a more positive connotation, suggesting responsible financial management.