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
Supply and scarcity Platinum and palladium are both vulnerable to supply shocks, but the risks show up differently for each metal.
—
Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Its focus on resource scarcity, crew specialization, and critical infrastructure mirrors the challenges of operating a real lunar outpost.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
In many ways, they’re grounded in a scarcity mindset about time.
—Aiko Bethea, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
That makes EVs an attractive and affordable option for consumers during periods of energy scarcity.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Its focus on resource scarcity, crew specialization, and critical infrastructure mirrors the challenges of operating a real lunar outpost.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
In many ways, they’re grounded in a scarcity mindset about time.
—Aiko Bethea, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
That makes EVs an attractive and affordable option for consumers during periods of energy scarcity.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 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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