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
But despite relative scarcity, traditional carpet weaving endures in the village as a lifeline in more ways than one.
—
Tomris Laffly, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
Water scarcity is also rising, as drought and declining reservoirs have led to rationing in parts of Tehran.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Valve controls the game’s development, manages the platform and – as the recent update proves – dictates item supply and scarcity.
—João Marinotti, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
The calendars’ once-a-year nature also allowed companies to create artificial scarcity, drumming up excitement and demand.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Tomris Laffly, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
Water scarcity is also rising, as drought and declining reservoirs have led to rationing in parts of Tehran.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Valve controls the game’s development, manages the platform and – as the recent update proves – dictates item supply and scarcity.
—João Marinotti, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
The calendars’ once-a-year nature also allowed companies to create artificial scarcity, drumming up excitement and demand.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 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 25 Nov. 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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