Synonyms of scarcity

scarcity

noun

ˈsker-sə-tē 

as in shortage

a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency
• paucity
• deficit
• drought
• famine
• poverty
• inadequacy
• absence
• dearth
• insufficiency
• undersupply
• scarceness
• crunch
• scantiness
• lacuna
• inadequateness
• failure
• pinch
• omission
• necessity
• want
• privation
• meagerness
• skimpiness
• need
• poorness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundance
• wealth
• sufficiency
• adequacy
• plenty
• amplitude
• opulence
• plenitude
• surplus
• excess
• overabundance
• oversupply
• surfeit
• copiousness
• bountifulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scarcity

Fashion’s nature risks and dependencies are wide-reaching, from cotton harvests ravaged by drought and leather supply chains riddled with deforestation, to manufacturing hubs struggling with water scarcity and retail networks affected by flooding. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Industry observers have also long argued that the closure works as a counterintuitive sales booster, because the scarcity has become part of the brand and helps drive traffic on the other six days. — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

As there isn’t a scarcity of space and resources, everyone onboard is calmer, kinder—civility returns to the sky. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

The internet destroyed scarcity for culture products in a real way. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026