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
Speaking on the People by WTF podcast, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO argued that AI and robotics will eliminate scarcity altogether, paving the way for a redefining of wealth.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Citing a 45% increase in the unhoused population in the state, a scarcity of resources and an affordable housing crisis, the homeless response system is buckling under the strain, advocates for the homeless say.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
Competition and scarcity can breed innovation in science.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
For Yilmaz, the cycle of constant, often frantic, creation and consumption across the luxury sector (in the form of new collections, endless content and bigger sales) marks a shift away from historical practices of scarcity and craftmanship.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
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Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Citing a 45% increase in the unhoused population in the state, a scarcity of resources and an affordable housing crisis, the homeless response system is buckling under the strain, advocates for the homeless say.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
Competition and scarcity can breed innovation in science.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
For Yilmaz, the cycle of constant, often frantic, creation and consumption across the luxury sector (in the form of new collections, endless content and bigger sales) marks a shift away from historical practices of scarcity and craftmanship.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarcity
Cite this Entry
“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity. Accessed 6 Jan. 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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