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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 But deals of that type became more scarce as the Premier League’s soaring wealth caused drastic inflation in the transfer market. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 Population numbers vary per season and their habitat can range up to one hundred acres if food is scarce, especially in the fall. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2025 The origin of reunions is unclear; scholarship on the tradition is scarce. Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 However, many questions linger over the brand’s future because Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace has not been completed and details so far have been scarce. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
  • Model Drift and Fraud Patterns Require Human Feedback In fraud detection, patterns evolve quickly and data remains sparse.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The floors will be reclaimed plastic and concrete, and the equipment in the hospital will be sparse, as there are no monitors available, Hawash-Kuemmerle said.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
    Sofi Zeman August 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • If reserves prove insufficient—or are poorly disclosed—confidence can collapse overnight.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The prosecutor said there was insufficient evidence to support that charge.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The report said that water storage in Washington’s five reservoirs in the Yakima River Basin has dropped sharply, bringing levels, at times, to some of the lowest measured since record-keeping started in 1971.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The ultra-low-cost model clearly isn't providing customer satisfaction, even if the fares look cheap.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What progress has been public has been from outside that investigation, like State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office issuing a report that found the MSP’s training is inadequate.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • More than half of these women have left their jobs under the weight of these tasks, with two-thirds citing inadequate employer support.
    Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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