SCARCE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'scarce' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of scarce are infrequent , rare , sporadic , and uncommon . While all these words mean "not common or abundant," scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance. // jobs were scarce during the Depression

Q: When might 'infrequent' be a better fit than 'scarce'?

In some situations, the words infrequent and scarce are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time. // infrequent family visits

Q: In what contexts can 'rare' take the place of 'scarce'?

The meanings of rare and scarce largely overlap; however, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value. // rare first editions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sporadic' instead of 'scarce'?

While the synonyms sporadic and scarce are close in meaning, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts. // sporadic cases of influenza

Q: When would 'uncommon' be a good substitute for 'scarce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scarce , uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation. // smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

scarce

adjective

ˈskers

Definition of scarce

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable food was a bit scarce last winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lacking

not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need help is always scarce in the resort town during the busy summer season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scarce distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of scarce are infrequent, rare, sporadic, and uncommon. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

When might infrequent be a better fit than scarce?

In some situations, the words infrequent and scarce are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

In what contexts can rare take the place of scarce?

The meanings of rare and scarce largely overlap; however, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When is it sensible to use sporadic instead of scarce?

While the synonyms sporadic and scarce are close in meaning, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

When would uncommon be a good substitute for scarce?

While in some cases nearly identical to scarce, uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scarce While viral videos poke fun, territorial scrums over scarce Costco spots can turn ugly, and sometimes violent. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Reliable polling remains scarce under the country’s authoritarian system. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 Although scarce documentation has left a wide range of estimates, as many as 2 million people are said to have been slaughtered in communal massacres during this exodus. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 If demand stayed constant, buyers would be forced to try to outbid one another to secure the scarce remaining supplies. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce

Adjective

The Sullivans’ sparse, slightly surreal arrangements take an economic approach.

— W. Reed Putnam, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Some weeks customers were so sparse that Martinez couldn’t afford to offer his now-signature rib-eye taco.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

So a resistance surveillance network across places where this is lacking, such as northwestern Nigeria, would bring a huge return on investment.

— Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Despite severely lacking resources, the monuments men and women were able to find and retrieve more than five million items, many of them artworks that had been stolen by the Axis forces.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026

Definition of lacking

Adjective

Covid-19 wasn’t immediately recognized as a disease with airborne transmission with the potential to spread beyond the 6-foot social distancing measure, especially in places with poor ventilation or around activities with heavy breathing.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Even despite all this, the task force observes that defensive arrays might be insufficient to stop rogue drone operators from succeeding in their goals.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Thune has repeatedly said there is insufficient Democratic support to overcome the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster and insufficient Republican support to eliminate it.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026

Definition of insufficient

Adjective

Democratic primary voters picked their nominees on Tuesday for three battleground House seats in Virginia that are likely to determine control of the lower chamber in the 2026 midterm elections.

— Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
This fuss-free pair has it all—plenty of color choices, comfy low heels, and a sleek, versatile design that will easily match any outfit, especially mini skirts and dresses.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

In the eyes of many groups who provide assistance to the city’s homeless residents, Atlanta’s response to the broiling temperatures was woefully inadequate.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
In a statement describing Abbott’s pause as inadequate, Hinojosa called for Abbott to issue a full moratorium on data center development until the state legislature can pass stricter rules.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadequate

Browse Nearby Words

scaramouches

scarce

scarcely

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“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scarce

adjective

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