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

That means any value beyond its $1 face value will depend largely on collector demand, scarcity and market interest — not the price of gold. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 22 July 2026

This is sensible, given the potential for tragedy among not only military aviators but civilians, as well as the cost and scarcity of military assets. — Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

That scarcity has fundamentally changed the way deals happen. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2026

Inflation, blackouts, water scarcity, and police abuse persist at the same levels that preceded the American intervention. — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026