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
Some housing activists also question whether using scarce public dollars to pay for mixed-income housing will yet again shortchange those who most need governmental assistance – namely, the poor.
—
Susanne Schindler, The Conversation, 7 July 2025
Mellinger said public health funding has historically been scarce because of the desire for quick results, a culture that clashes inherently with preventative health care.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
The invitations were so scarce that at least one Tesla influencer, a person named Omar who goes by the pseudonym Whole Mars Catalog, offered to share rides for $10.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 5 July 2025
But area foot traffic has been scarce, and Wilson worries visitors have no reason to pass through town.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Susanne Schindler, The Conversation, 7 July 2025
Mellinger said public health funding has historically been scarce because of the desire for quick results, a culture that clashes inherently with preventative health care.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
The invitations were so scarce that at least one Tesla influencer, a person named Omar who goes by the pseudonym Whole Mars Catalog, offered to share rides for $10.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 5 July 2025
But area foot traffic has been scarce, and Wilson worries visitors have no reason to pass through town.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scarce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce
Adjective
-
Berrios, Cracraft and Dubose were sparse contributors last season because of injuries and the fact Malik Washington emerged as Miami’s slot receiver and primary returner.—
Omar Kelly
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
-
At a tournament where much of the focus has been on sparse attendances, Madrid have got bigger crowds than anyone, drawing an average of 67,247.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tax revenues alone are insufficient to cover the government’s expenses.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
-
The comments coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was originally intended to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but which some have argued was insufficient to adequately deter Tehran.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Europe’s Stoxx 600 index closed 0.06% lower on Monday, after shaving off losses late in the day to finish at a session high.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
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In the United States, a measles outbreak that originated in a part of West Texas that has a low vaccination rate continues to spread, and there have been more measles cases reported in the US this year than any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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What began as a clinical workaround in the face of inadequate training has helped fuel a national crisis driven by multiple complex factors, with human costs that are still mounting.—
Hany Demian,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Several after-action reports from the massive protests in 2020 found glaring problems in the department’s handling of the demonstrations, concluding that poor planning, inadequate training and inconsistent leadership within the department contributed to disorder in the streets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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