Synonyms of scarce

scarce

adjective

ˈskers 

1

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

food was a bit scarce last winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparse
• poor
• lacking
• scanty
• insufficient
• scant
• meager
• lowest
• inadequate
• skimpy
• light
• spare
• small
• sparing
• stingy
• short
• slender
• minimal
• exiguous
• mere
• deficient
• thin on the ground
• slim
• thin
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• least
• wanting
• slightest
• sterile
• littlest
• bare
• bare-bones
• unfruitful
• barren
• unproductive
• slight
• infertile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundant
• plentiful
• sufficient
• adequate
• ample
• enough
• generous
• copious
• satisfactory
• liberal
• bountiful
• rich
• tolerable
• fertile
• prolific
• fruitful
• plenteous
• fat
• lavish
• extra
• excess
• bursting
• fecund
• luxuriant
• surplus
• flourishing
• thriving
• proliferative
• teeming
• blooming
• swarming

2

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

• lacking
• insufficient
• low
• inadequate
• short
• deficient
• wanting
• sparse
• shy
• unacceptable
• scanty
• scant
• unsatisfactory
• meager
• poor
• substandard
• skimpy
• spare
• small
• stingy
• slender
• lean
• light
• mere
• slim
• minimum
• bare
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• slight

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• sufficient
• enough
• abundant
• plentiful
• ample
• copious
• generous
• bountiful
• liberal
• plenteous
• bounteous
• enlarged
• supplemented
• satisfactory
• expanded
• large
• tolerable
• rich
• overflowing
• considerable
• substantial
• plenitudinous
• lavish
• teeming
• big
• sizable
• super
• luxuriant
• abounding
• hefty
• oversize
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

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

Recent Examples of scarce

Gas, once cheap and easy to get, was now regarded as scarce, unstable, and politically charged. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026

San Diego County’s recent summer-like temperatures have worried Ross, especially with upcoming trips in May to the Cuyamaca Mountains and Eagle Rock in Warner Springs, where water for the hikers could be scarce. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026

Heavy live chumming is preferable, but sometimes live pilchards are scarce. —Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

While details remain scarce — Crumbl has not shared specifics about what the donuts might look like, taste like or cost — the company’s acknowledgment that testing is underway marks the first official confirmation that donuts are on its radar. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026