1
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
food was a bit scarce last winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
help is always scarce in the resort town during the busy summer season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scarce
The specific details of the agreement and plans for its execution remain scarce, and the deal faces several pitfalls before it can be declared a victory for the U.S. president.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Born and raised near the Amani neighborhood, Allen saw firsthand how residents were affected by high incarceration and scarce educational opportunities.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Feb. 2025
Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Track position is everything on a circuit as unforgiving as Monaco, where overtaking opportunities are scarce.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Born and raised near the Amani neighborhood, Allen saw firsthand how residents were affected by high incarceration and scarce educational opportunities.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 23 Feb. 2025
Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Track position is everything on a circuit as unforgiving as Monaco, where overtaking opportunities are scarce.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
-
Research on caterpillar venoms is still sparse enough that no new drugs have resulted yet, but venoms of other organisms have yielded some important therapies.—
Bob Holmes,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Feb. 2025
-
His words, though often sparse and cryptic, usually mattered more than those of his counterparts, fueling a political mystique of infallibility.—
Megan Crepeau,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And another research team, using data from 2015 to 2022, observed in an article available in Energy Research and Social Science that poor income distribution correlates with social unrest when fossil fuel subsidies are removed.—
Aldo Flores-Quiroga,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
And poor work conditions can hurt morale in any field.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With only 28 physicians per 10,000 people as of 2019, the current provider-to-patient ratio is insufficient, and The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.5 providers per 1,000 people are needed for adequate primary care.—
Waqaas Al-siddiq,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
And, according to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the entitled Zelenskyy showed insufficient gratitude for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid that Ukraine has received following the Russian invasion.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, making this a low-effort yet nutrient-dense option for meal prep or a cozy dinner.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Women are also approved at a lower rate for small business loans and face more scrutiny when seeking investments.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Survivors have long called for accountability, arguing that the Church's response has been inadequate and that senior figures must be held responsible.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
-
That conviction was set aside by an Oklahoma court which said his defense was inadequate.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share