1
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
food was a bit scarce last winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Environmental groups say those demands must be considered in a state where water is already scarce and climate change is expected to shrink supplies.
—
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Each nation’s plan is classified, so details are scarce.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Gonzalez said that as food became scarce and the days dragged on, those inside began to feel the psychological effects of living under siege.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Heavy rare earths are more scarce, and the United States doesn’t have the capabilities for the tough task of separating rare earths after extraction.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Each nation’s plan is classified, so details are scarce.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Gonzalez said that as food became scarce and the days dragged on, those inside began to feel the psychological effects of living under siege.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Heavy rare earths are more scarce, and the United States doesn’t have the capabilities for the tough task of separating rare earths after extraction.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
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Juan Soto, meanwhile, went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout and heard a smattering of boos from a sparse crowd after a seventh-inning groundout.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2025
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The risk was getting waived and wallowing in the G League with sparse crowds, commercial travel between remote locales and a dog-eat-dog team culture for as little as $40,500.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Orlik, who was seventy-seven, was in poor health and desperate to get his pictures back.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
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Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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That proposal was rejected due to insufficient funding.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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During that time, Israel allowed in a fluctuating, almost always insufficient number of aid trucks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dew point values will be around 70 degrees, with heat index values climbing into the low 90s.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2025
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Consuming it with supplements that have the same effect could increase the risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).—
Roxana Ehsani,
Health,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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But, Perfection got put on hiatus until July 12 for lacking the drugs an office surgery center should have, inadequate BBL patient exams among other violations.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
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Some buildings carry policies based on outdated valuations, which can result in partial or inadequate payouts after a loss.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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