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
Most of their 125-year existence has been defined by a dearth of starting pitching; the homegrown variety, specifically.
—
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The dearth of investigators identified in the report factored into the agency’s ability to fully investigate potential leads, including those that pointed to Devastating Pyrotechnics before the tragedy.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
That may be changing in direct proportion to the rise of relief pitching and dearth of 20-game winners.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Otherwise, trading a good player on an affordable contract for the crapshoot of a draft pick seems short-sighted, especially considering Miami’s general dearth of talent otherwise at the position.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The dearth of investigators identified in the report factored into the agency’s ability to fully investigate potential leads, including those that pointed to Devastating Pyrotechnics before the tragedy.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
That may be changing in direct proportion to the rise of relief pitching and dearth of 20-game winners.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Otherwise, trading a good player on an affordable contract for the crapshoot of a draft pick seems short-sighted, especially considering Miami’s general dearth of talent otherwise at the position.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dearth
Noun
-
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The shooting stars competition returned to All-Star Weekend after a 10-year absence, with Team Knicks defeating Team Cameron 47-38.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Armchair analysis fills the space that is created by the absence of available facts.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dearth. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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