The best synonym for the underlined word in the sentence is "skimpy."
- Hourly: This refers to being paid based on the number of hours worked and does not convey the same meaning as "meager."
- Abundant: This means plentiful or a large amount, which is the opposite of "meager."
- Large: While "large" indicates something big or substantial, it does not capture the idea of being meager or insufficient.
- Skimpy: This term aligns closely with "meager" as it denotes something inadequate, limited, or insufficient.
Therefore, the most suitable synonym for the underlined word in the sentence provided is "skimpy."
