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
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Recent Examples of scarce
Especially in rural Idaho, where doctors are scarce and doctors’ appointments can be hard to come by, the law could increase Idahoans’ access to the drug, said Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, another sponsor and a pharmacy owner.
—
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2025
Direct comparisons are scarce since only two other comparable budget laptops have run our new benchmark suite: the almost identically equipped $349.99 Asus Vivobook Go 15, and the $599.99 Acer Aspire Go 15.
—PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2025
Missouri football filled a gap in its scarce specialist room Monday with the addition of transfer punter John Butcher as a preferred walk-on, Butcher announced on X.
Butcher makes the move from Grossmont College in El Cajon, California.
—Amelia Hurley, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
Increasing supply of popular, relatively scarce shoes.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2025
Direct comparisons are scarce since only two other comparable budget laptops have run our new benchmark suite: the almost identically equipped $349.99 Asus Vivobook Go 15, and the $599.99 Acer Aspire Go 15.
—PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2025
Missouri football filled a gap in its scarce specialist room Monday with the addition of transfer punter John Butcher as a preferred walk-on, Butcher announced on X.
Butcher makes the move from Grossmont College in El Cajon, California.
—Amelia Hurley, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
Increasing supply of popular, relatively scarce shoes.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
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The trend left a lasting impact on Marchand and others in her generation who were left with sparse, barely-there brows.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Prevent seeds from establishing by maintaining a healthy lawn, stop seed germination with pre-emergent herbicides, Maintain a Healthy Lawn Dandelions thrive in thin, sparse lawns and garden beds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But nothing has come to fruition yet because Robert's poor play has tanked his trade value.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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Some parents worry that Alexa's high tolerance for rudeness instills poor behavior in their kids, according to Quartz.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Where those policies are insufficient to prevent the disruption of scholarship, classroom learning and teaching, or other aspects of normal campus life, Harvard must develop and implement disciplinary policies sufficient to prevent those disruptions.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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In the Motley Fool survey from late last year, 54 percent of retirees said the latest COLA is insufficient.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.—
Lindsy Van Gelder,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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With consumer confidence at its lowest level in three years and inflation expected to climb as a consequence of the trade war, even meek Republicans have raised complaints about the impact of some of Trump’s moves on their political future.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The result of both inadequate support for new mothers and poor medical advice was that more and more mothers bottle-fed their babies cow’s milk.—
Made by History,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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Others wanted to send a balanced budget using the inadequate funds proposed, along with a resolution demanding more money.—
Josh Michtom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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