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
Despite funding through spring 2026, the program’s future is uncertain as its founder faces a scarcity of grants due to federal National Endowment of the Arts cuts.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
If some of the narratives around silver scarcity and irreplaceability collapse, then investor flows could taper off.
—Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Why prices keep rising Ticket scarcity pushes many buyers into the pricey secondary market, resulting in Super Bowl crowds wealthier than average Americans.
—Julian Torres, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Constructing a life that would prove his father's scarcity mindset wrong.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
If some of the narratives around silver scarcity and irreplaceability collapse, then investor flows could taper off.
—Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Why prices keep rising Ticket scarcity pushes many buyers into the pricey secondary market, resulting in Super Bowl crowds wealthier than average Americans.
—Julian Torres, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Constructing a life that would prove his father's scarcity mindset wrong.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Cite this Entry
“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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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