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
Unless their families can find and afford scarce legal representation, the children could be at risk of getting detained or could be forced to face a judge alone, advocates and attorneys said.
—
Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Food in the strip is scarce, and people are starving, according to multiple UN assessments.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
To pull off the ultimate heist in a world where trust is scarce, Halston must assemble an unlikely crew of fixers, including an expert in forgery, a merciless mob boss, and an eccentric fashion designer.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 16 July 2025
Longevity Delivers More Than Health These stories prove what’s possible, even when resources are scarce.
—Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Food in the strip is scarce, and people are starving, according to multiple UN assessments.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
To pull off the ultimate heist in a world where trust is scarce, Halston must assemble an unlikely crew of fixers, including an expert in forgery, a merciless mob boss, and an eccentric fashion designer.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 16 July 2025
Longevity Delivers More Than Health These stories prove what’s possible, even when resources are scarce.
—Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
-
In her prominent book Atlas of AI, renowned Microsoft researcher and academic Kate Crawford documents the vast extractive needs of AI but notes that detailed analysis of materials that will be needed has been sparse.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Regulations in Hong Kong around the technology are currently sparse.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Spurred by climate change, Canadian wildfires have increasingly exacerbated poor air quality across Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Cocoa prices have more than doubled over the past two years due to poor weather and disease in West Africa, which supplies more than 70% of the world’s cocoa.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Before mortgage interest rates started climbing in 2022, home prices in the Austin area had been increasing sharply due to strong demand and insufficient supply, experts said.—
Shonda Novak,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Aid organizations have called the sites both dangerous and insufficient.—
Juwayriah Wright,
Time,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Designed as federal programs to assist the elderly, disabled individuals and those with low income, both have grown into the largest sources of health care coverage in the country.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Macron and other Western leaders called for comprehensive humanitarian access beyond airdrops, which the French leader described as inadequate to alleviate famine risk.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Some cars suffered from leaking rear main seals, or inadequate lubrication that could cause cylinder bore scoring.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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