1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dearth
It is estimated that in recent years, between 10 to 20 factories have shut down due to aging ownership and a dearth of successors to take the reins and write the next chapter.
—
Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
There is no dearth of beautiful locales in Mexico, but Mandarina offers something different.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
The race has been notable not only for a dearth of out-of-state money but for a general lack of overall spending, a stark contrast to the tens of millions of dollars that poured into the 2022 GOP primary.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Council raises income limits for incentives Boise’s latest Housing Needs Analysis identified a dearth of low-income housing options, particularly for families making 60% of the area median income or below.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
There is no dearth of beautiful locales in Mexico, but Mandarina offers something different.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
The race has been notable not only for a dearth of out-of-state money but for a general lack of overall spending, a stark contrast to the tens of millions of dollars that poured into the 2022 GOP primary.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Council raises income limits for incentives Boise’s latest Housing Needs Analysis identified a dearth of low-income housing options, particularly for families making 60% of the area median income or below.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dearth
Noun
-
The lack of pay has contributed to high call-out rates at airports across the country, including at Philadelphia International Airport, where staffing shortages have led to longer security lines.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertilizer shortages and disrupted air travel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As recently as 2022, research group IDinsight found unintended pregnancy was, after a lack of money for school fees, the leading cause of girls not returning to education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In Miami-Dade, the lack of oversight has been acute, the Herald found.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For example, Vermont legislators have introduced legislation requiring that tech products used in school be registered and certified with the Secretary of State to prove limited data collection and the absence of addictive algorithms.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
And haunting is about distance, the presence of an absence.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dearth. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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