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
Highland Dunes Olvera Linen Cabinet Bathrooms can get cluttered quickly when storage space is scarce.
—
Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2025
Finland simply could not afford to do that when scoring chances were always going to be scarce for them.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
There is, however, scarce fossil evidence of this early transformation.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Details are scarce — Leigh never reveals his plots or even his main characters before a film is finished — but his Hard Truth collaborators are back on board, including Bleecker Street, which will release the film in the U.S., and StudioCanal, which has U.K. rights.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2025
Finland simply could not afford to do that when scoring chances were always going to be scarce for them.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
There is, however, scarce fossil evidence of this early transformation.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Details are scarce — Leigh never reveals his plots or even his main characters before a film is finished — but his Hard Truth collaborators are back on board, including Bleecker Street, which will release the film in the U.S., and StudioCanal, which has U.K. rights.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
-
His words, though often sparse and cryptic, usually mattered more than those of his counterparts, fueling a political mystique of infallibility.—
Megan Crepeau,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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His characteristically sparse prose only makes this portrait of a necrophiliac serial killer haunting the hill country of eastern Tennessee that much more disturbing: Lester Ballard makes Norman Bates look like Beaver Cleaver.—
M.L. Rio,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This initiative helped avert potential global famines and boosted incomes for poor farmers, particularly in Asia.—
A.J. Russo,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Feb. 2025
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But shortly after its release, AT&T dropped the device’s price down to just $0.99 in what was an unmistakable sign of poor sales – and perhaps an indication that consumers didn’t want more Facebook on their phone other than in its app.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If Korea’s labor force becomes insufficient to produce and distribute basic goods—a distinct possibility by the end of the century—they could be hoarded by those of means.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Florida prosecutors did not file charges, citing insufficient evidence.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even though the amount of each check is lower, investing it in the stock market, which averages an annual return of 10%, could make up for that loss and more.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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Research has found that people who regularly practice mindfulness generally experience less stress and lower levels of cortisol.—
Julia Ries,
SELF,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In June last year, 23 workers were killed in a fire at a lithium battery factory that authorities blamed on quality control failures and inadequate safety training.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
25 Feb. 2025
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That conviction was set aside by an Oklahoma court which said his defense was inadequate.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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