1
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the continuing scarceness of supplies means that we will have to ration ourselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scarce
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 19 May 2025
But with land and material costs rising and labor increasingly scarce, many pivoted their attention to the move-up and luxury markets after the housing crash.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
While discrete graphics options are absent and some other more premium features are scarce, Acer includes OLED screen upgrade options on these systems.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
The fact is jobs are scarce because movies are scarce.
—Bill Mechanic, Deadline, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Adjective
Of greater relevance for our purposes may be his relatively scarce international involvement since committing to the USMNT in 2022, having previously represented Germany at all major youth levels.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 19 May 2025
But with land and material costs rising and labor increasingly scarce, many pivoted their attention to the move-up and luxury markets after the housing crash.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
While discrete graphics options are absent and some other more premium features are scarce, Acer includes OLED screen upgrade options on these systems.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
The fact is jobs are scarce because movies are scarce.
—Bill Mechanic, Deadline, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
-
But turnout at Wednesday’s sessions was sparse; at faculty and student forums, more than half of the seats were empty.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
-
The Spa The Recovery Lab feels more like a doctor’s office than a traditional spa, with sparse white walls and minimal decor.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
At the time Volkswagen was the first automaker to warn of a global chip shortage.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The rights of property owners aren’t always given the appropriate amount of respect, especially in a time of housing shortages and rising rents.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The original doesn’t go that deeply into it, but this poor girl was essentially forced to be a teen mom at this time in her life when all of her friends would be graduating high school and dating and thinking about their futures.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
The product was released in 2023 to a poor reception, and discontinued before the company began winding down operations in February.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Labor advocates say the strikers’ benefits bill is a necessary counter to the advantages most employers have at the bargaining table, especially since the Trump administration has left the National Labor Relations Board with insufficient members to act and shrunk the ranks of labor mediators.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
-
The measure previously failed to pass a procedural hurdle due to insufficient Democratic support.—
Owen Tedford,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
After two days exploring Barcelona, Spain, Napton was surprised at the lack of political discourse.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
-
Morehouse graduates applaud the honor Part of the tragedy of Hubert’s lynching was a lack of awareness surrounding his story among Morehouse graduates until only recently, several alumni said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
In fact, with one of the lowest average ages in the whole of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain this season has become a team known for its young, hardworking and likeable core group of players – Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Barcola and Doué have all garnered plaudits.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
-
Per Trump’s promise, the proposal leaves Title I (support for schools with low income students) and IDEA (funding for students with special needs) intact.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
When their work is considered inadequate, a perfectionistic leader’s anger can threaten psychological safety in the workplace.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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