1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent
the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dearth
This resulted in a dearth of micro-collections of organic cotton T-shirts or one-off collections that didn’t address the company’s larger goals, while general consumption and production were on a steep rise.
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Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
In communities across the country, ERs and their staff are straining under a burden of too many patients, too few beds and a stubborn dearth of viable solutions to stem the tide.
—Eric Snoey, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Other challenges that could diminish Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness include the modest size of its workforce, a dearth of domestically raw materials and intermediate products, and high construction and electricity costs.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
The dearth of information has repeatedly led to inaccuracies in media reports, and on sanctions and law enforcement lists.
—Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dearth
Noun
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Wagner said the shortages of equipment and staff will have a lasting impact on rebuilding in his community.—
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Sale speculation has surrounded Puma since last September, and there’s been no shortage on who could be buyers for the German sportswear brand.—
Noun
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Dead drummer Mickey Hart said at one point legendary concert promoter Bill Graham vented to him about the lack of catchy songs.—
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The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Noun
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Because the defense is, frankly, not playoff caliber — especially in the injury absence of All-Pro defenders Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.—
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With a roster that skews young and continues to churn due to injuries and absences, his presence has mattered beyond any single stat line.—
Cite this Entry
“Dearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dearth. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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