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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 Chairs are scarce and worn bare. Greg Myre, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025 Turbines for natural gas plants are scarce. Ivan Penn, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 Though details are scarce, Ferrell will play a golf legend in the Netflix show, and Wilson will play a fellow pro who beat Ferrell’s character in the tour championship multiple times. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 26 Sep. 2025 When there aren't enough homes, that creates competition for homes that are scarce. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
  • For now, Swifties only have the song titles, multiple variant covers, and sparse details shared during the singer’s two-hour long New Heights podcast appearance to shape their understanding of the album.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The pros and cons of sparse attention An AI model makes decisions based on its training data and new information, such as a prompt.
    Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Art that truly centres girlhood, meanwhile, had too often been dismissed as sentimental or lacking intellectual rigor.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar protests occurred in Brazil over steep living costs and poor healthcare and education ahead of the country hosting the 2014 World Cup tournament.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Over time, dysfunctional breathing reinforces poor posture and scapular instability.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some Republicans note that Earle-Sears’s strategy of focusing on trans issues may not be salient enough this cycle and may end up being insufficient.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Meta tweaked the system to bring it in line with EU regulation, but in July the European Commission asked for further changes, implying that the company might face daily fines if the overhaul is deemed insufficient.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, if both people are eligible but one earned more, collect the lower amount first to have some cash.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The rapid expansion of psychedelic therapy has surfaced risks, like inadequate facilitator training and questionable consent practices in unregulated settings.
    Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Private pleas for Biden to show some heart were simply an inadequate response to the killing fields of Gaza, which anyone with eyes could recognize as a genocide.
    Book Marks October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scarce

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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