1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dearth
Those pushing for the construction pointed to the dire need for the units amid the city’s housing crisis, while those advocating for the garden’s preservation, among them such luminaries as Patti Smith and Robert De Niro, cited the dearth of public green spaces in the area.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 25 June 2025
In those days, Sapolu said a dearth of Polynesian players in the NFL led him to study the schedule each year and identify the teams that included Polynesians.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
The dearth of releases has only intensified the anticipation around his every move, with fans carefully examining his sporadic IG fit pics for clues around a new album.
—Hazlitt, 28 May 2025
The dearth of skilled workers will lead to the inability to meet market demands, longer wait periods, reduced revenue, and eventual collapse of the business.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dearth
News Desk, Artforum, 25 June 2025
In those days, Sapolu said a dearth of Polynesian players in the NFL led him to study the schedule each year and identify the teams that included Polynesians.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
The dearth of releases has only intensified the anticipation around his every move, with fans carefully examining his sporadic IG fit pics for clues around a new album.
—Hazlitt, 28 May 2025
The dearth of skilled workers will lead to the inability to meet market demands, longer wait periods, reduced revenue, and eventual collapse of the business.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dearth
Noun
-
Spain, to cite but one example, has a housing shortage and is currently considering levying a 100% tax on foreign buyers of real estate.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
California already faces some of the highest housing costs in the country and a shortage of construction workers.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
The lack of responsibility is built into the City Charter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
So often, projects don’t get off the ground because of lack of funding.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
The absence of curiosity or push-back helps maintain the status quo, which keeps us stuck.—
Dr. Ella F. Washington,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Pankow's absence is noticed on set of the final season, Cline says.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dearth. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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