as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scarcity
Advertisers’ enthusiasm for in-game buys is amplified by a combination of relative scarcity and scale.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026
The legislation exempted a broad array of housing development and infrastructure from environmental review in an effort to streamline construction and help address housing scarcity in California.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
My approach is to build a lot more housing and reduce the costs that government adds through delay, dysfunction and scarcity.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
If all this sounds eye-roll-inducing, take note that the pies’ scarcity isn’t a form of elitism, or a McRib-style marketing gimmick.
—Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026
The legislation exempted a broad array of housing development and infrastructure from environmental review in an effort to streamline construction and help address housing scarcity in California.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
My approach is to build a lot more housing and reduce the costs that government adds through delay, dysfunction and scarcity.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
If all this sounds eye-roll-inducing, take note that the pies’ scarcity isn’t a form of elitism, or a McRib-style marketing gimmick.
—Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarcity
Noun
-
Despite more than $100 million in federal investment, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority continues to struggle with aging generators, equipment shortages and years of deferred maintenance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
In a time of a workforce shortage, Mainstay is not replacing people with tech.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
But despite this, experts say the lack of AI play is not the main reason why global investors are exiting India.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
This area is the best of the best—in part because of the wildlife sightings but also because of the lack of vehicles (the land is exclusively crossed by guests of Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarcity. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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