See More

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

\/\/ jobs were scarce<\/em> during the Depression<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'infrequent' be a better fit than 'scarce'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words infrequent<\/em><\/a> and scarce<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, infrequent<\/em> implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.<\/p>

\/\/ infrequent<\/em> family visits<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'rare' take the place of 'scarce'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of rare<\/em><\/a> and scarce<\/em> largely overlap; however, rare<\/em> suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.<\/p>

\/\/ rare<\/em> first editions<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'sporadic' instead of 'scarce'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms sporadic<\/em><\/a> and scarce<\/em> are close in meaning, sporadic<\/em> implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.<\/p>

\/\/ sporadic<\/em> cases of influenza<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'uncommon' be a good substitute for 'scarce'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to scarce<\/em>, uncommon<\/em><\/a> suggests a frequency below normal expectation.<\/p>

\/\/ smallpox is now uncommon<\/em> in many countries<\/p>" } } ] }

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

Relevance

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 Their diet depends heavily on flower nectar and tiny insects, both of which become scarce during colder months. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Immediately upon regaining control of the lowlands of São Tomé, the Portuguese dedicated scarce manpower and equipment to the resumption of sugar cultivation, the repair of the mills, and the terrorizing of new shipments of captives. —Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026 At a time when teachers are scarce, California cannot afford to lose effective incentives like the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. —Valentyna Banner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 Worse, when harm is done to them, safe spaces are scarce, which allows shame to fester. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
  1. sparse
  2. lacking
  3. poor
  4. insufficient
  5. low
  6. inadequate
Adjective
  • The clean lines and walls in neutral or primary colors happen to adhere to the aesthetic values of the Bauhaus style, though for Morgan, sparse decoration is about something much simpler.
    — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In mid-January, NASA released imagery that showed sparse snow cover on the Rocky Mountains and Cascades — the lowest extent recorded for that date since satellite monitoring began in 2001.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.
    — Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.
    — Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • And that 44-point home victory was with Brandon Miller having a poor shooting night (5 of 15, 13 points).
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The Dolphins’ struggles during the last decade-plus with Ross signing the checks was a result of poor leadership at the top of the football operations side.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Instead, prosecutors have pointed to sanctions policy and national security concerns — arguments the defense calls both insufficient and inconsistent.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
  • At a 2022 civil trial in Manhattan federal court, a jury found insufficient evidence to hold Spacey liable for Rapp’s claims.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • Customers in Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook and Twin Oaks, might experience low to no water pressure as the main break affects the area.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • This disparity is driven by inadequate access to prenatal care, high hypertension rates and other social factors.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
  • El Cerrito’s existing library is unsafe and inadequate.
    — Paul Fadelli, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of inadequate

Browse Nearby Words

scaramouches
scarce
scarcely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scarce

Nglish: Translation of scarce for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dross

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little boy with a magnifying glass looking at footprints
Quiz: Spot the Misspelled Word! Think you can detect a spelling error from a mile...
See All