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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scarce
Analysts at JPMorgan Chase said the situation in Venezuela is not currently escalating and that details around future oil operations remain scarce.
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Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Environmental experts and lawmakers say water is becoming a scarce resource as the Texas population grows, depleted by overuse, persistent dry weather, rising temperatures, aging infrastructure and water-reliant technology like data centers.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Those accounts suggested that multiple strategic areas may have been targeted, though details remained scarce.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Such models could offer a powerful new platform for studying blood disorders, immune system diseases, and bone marrow failure without relying on scarce donor tissue.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
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Even though the snow in the Rockies is sparse, Colorado ski-makers are still gearing up to sell the latest and greatest.—
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In a landscape where authenticity has become increasingly sparse, the rapper is proof that sometimes the best way to engage an audience is by simply being yourself.—
Adjective
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Nothing undermines success like a lack of stability, and of course, a lacking quarterback.—
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These are all signs of a lacking musclespan, whereas not noticing any difficulties in everyday tasks suggests a stronger trajectory.—
Adjective
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Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.—
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In recent games, KU’s communication has been pretty poor on defense and that’s led to players taking (and too often missing) wide-open 3-pointers.—
Adjective
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The decision followed a monthslong investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office that concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges.—
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Yet most national climate targets remain outdated and insufficient.—
Adjective
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The president argued that inflation was already low enough to start cutting rates.—
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There’s something motivating about having this low, electronic drumbeat pushing you along, trying to go faster and faster and faster.—
Adjective
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The National Transportation Safety Board in June said inadequate training and management oversight had been among the problems at the company, according to its investigation into what led to the door plug blowout in January 2024.—
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Right before the gunfire at Brown, the suspect stopped in a bathroom at the Barus & Holley building, where a man – later identified as John, per a police affidavit – noticed his clothes seemed inadequate for the cold weather.—
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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