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
Dozens of North Texas officials are voicing their worries, ideas and dreams about the area’s water resources, as a regional influx of businesses and residents ramp up pressure to address looming scarcity concerns.
—
Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
The mere possibility that Hormuz could become contested access territory is enough to drive insurance costs higher, alter tanker routing, and push markets to price scarcity long before physical supply is interrupted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Participants brought years of developed scholarship, revealing that this scarcity reflects infrastructural gaps rather than intellectual ones.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
That original scarcity logic also justified a broader regulatory architecture, including the now-defunct Fairness Doctrine.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
The mere possibility that Hormuz could become contested access territory is enough to drive insurance costs higher, alter tanker routing, and push markets to price scarcity long before physical supply is interrupted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Participants brought years of developed scholarship, revealing that this scarcity reflects infrastructural gaps rather than intellectual ones.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
That original scarcity logic also justified a broader regulatory architecture, including the now-defunct Fairness Doctrine.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 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 7 Mar. 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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