scarcity
noun
scar·ci·ty
ˈsker-sə-tē 
-stē
plural scarcities
: the quality or state of being scarce
especially
: want of provisions for the support of life
Examples of scarcity in a Sentence
Scarcity of food forced the herds to move.
the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising
Recent Examples on the Web
The forward curve, once comfortably in contango, has flipped into backwardation, signaling acute near-term scarcity.
—
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, a JPMorgan analysis found the world is now moving from a problem centered on a shock to energy flows to one of stock depletion, which is likely to turn into supply scarcity for much of the world.
—Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
That includes the Colorado River Basin, which has long been mired in water scarcity.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
In times of scarcity, when another mouth to feed means ruin for the poor, two children working together may be a revolutionary act.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, a JPMorgan analysis found the world is now moving from a problem centered on a shock to energy flows to one of stock depletion, which is likely to turn into supply scarcity for much of the world.
—Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
That includes the Colorado River Basin, which has long been mired in water scarcity.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
In times of scarcity, when another mouth to feed means ruin for the poor, two children working together may be a revolutionary act.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Cite this Entry
“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scarcity
noun
scar·ci·ty
ˈsker-sət-ē
ˈskar-
plural scarcities
: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply
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