scarcity
noun
scar·ci·ty
ˈsker-sə-tē 
-stē
plural scarcities
: the quality or state of being scarce
especially
: want of provisions for the support of life
Examples of scarcity in a Sentence
Scarcity of food forced the herds to move.
the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising
Recent Examples on the Web
Thrifting has scarcity at its core.
—
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Studies in the Philippines show that younger siblings tend to be shorter and weigh less than older siblings—a result perhaps of better nutrition for the older sibs in countries where food scarcity is a problem.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Mining companies have so exacerbated water scarcity that many Indigenous Chileans have had to give up herding.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
In the 2023-24 crop year, China imported a decade-long high of 15 million bales, causing scarcity and creating a pricing bump.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Heather Bien, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Studies in the Philippines show that younger siblings tend to be shorter and weigh less than older siblings—a result perhaps of better nutrition for the older sibs in countries where food scarcity is a problem.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Mining companies have so exacerbated water scarcity that many Indigenous Chileans have had to give up herding.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
In the 2023-24 crop year, China imported a decade-long high of 15 million bales, causing scarcity and creating a pricing bump.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Cite this Entry
“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scarcity
noun
scar·ci·ty
ˈsker-sət-ē
ˈskar-
plural scarcities
: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply
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