Synonyms of paucity

paucity

noun

ˈpȯ-sə-tē 

as in shortage

a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

a paucity of useful answers to the problem of traffic congestion at rush hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency
• scarcity
• dearth
• absence
• deficit
• inadequacy
• insufficiency
• drought
• lacuna
• poverty
• famine
• scarceness
• scantiness
• crunch
• failure
• undersupply
• inadequateness
• omission
• pinch
• want
• necessity
• meagerness
• skimpiness
• privation
• poorness
• need

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundance
• plenty
• adequacy
• wealth
• sufficiency
• amplitude
• plenitude
• opulence
• excess
• surplus
• overabundance
• surfeit
• copiousness
• oversupply
• bountifulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of paucity

That paucity of new tuners — there were just six original musicals in the season, and only two were viable candidates for the top award — meant that the Tonys for artistic achievement in musicals mostly went to revivals. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

The decision isn’t likely to be an easy one, given the paucity of the data. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 18 May 2026

At a Cannes where some have grumbled about a paucity of studio movies (and thus stars), the absence of Scarlett Johansson at last night’s premiere of Paper Tiger was notable. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 17 May 2026

Experts have warned that this paucity of water, already a significant problem in Iran’s typically arid environment, will be exacerbated by climate change. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

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