scarce

adjective

ˈskers How to pronounce scarce (audio)
Definition of scarcenext
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scarce distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of scarce are infrequent, rare, sporadic, and uncommon. While all these words mean "not common or abundant," scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

When might infrequent be a better fit than scarce?

In some situations, the words infrequent and scarce are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

In what contexts can rare take the place of scarce?

The meanings of rare and scarce largely overlap; however, rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

When is it sensible to use sporadic instead of scarce?

While the synonyms sporadic and scarce are close in meaning, sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

When would uncommon be a good substitute for scarce?

While in some cases nearly identical to scarce, uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

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 McCarthy returned to the House on Monday to celebrate the departure of his longtime aide, James Min, but has otherwise been scarce. — David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025 As ever with Radiohead, details are scarce, and their representatives had nothing to share. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2025 In 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended that people who keep poultry remove feeders, but additional guidance has been scarce. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2025 Lenders may be less willing to give out loans when job security is scarce. — Alexis Christoforous, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
  1. sparse
  2. poor
  3. insufficient
  4. low
  5. inadequate
Adjective
  • Team Harris’s strategy appeared to rely heavily on a short campaign window, with a sparse interview schedule, slow windup to unscripted events, and ambiguous policy positions.
    — W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But as lashes become shorter, thinner, and more sparse over time, the best mascara for older women step in to lift the lashes—and the spirits—up.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.
    — Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • After a police investigation into the allegations, San Bernardino County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Labrada, citing insufficient evidence.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • According to the report, in 2023 and 2024, more than half of rejections at the resonable grounds stage were because a referee had ‘insufficient proof,’ as opposed to just 3% in 2022, before the evidence threshold was changed.
    — Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • Despite multiple promising routines in the practice sessions, Lee’s low score of 11.800 was not enough to send the Olympic Champion to Azerbaijan.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But after spending most of the day under low stratus clouds, patchy fog and coastal drizzle caused by onshore flow, New Yorkers will likely need an umbrella for the evening hours, as a cold front coming from the west is expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of low
Adjective
  • Aguilar-Hurtado’s family lawsuit also included nine other examples of jail detainees who have accused the jail of providing inadequate medical care.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Soon, even this inadequate housing began disappearing due ,in part, to real estate development/gentrification and the former hospital patients became homeless.
    — Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of inadequate

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Cite this Entry

“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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