Definitions

scarce

[skairs] / skɛərs /

ADJECTIVE

insufficient, infrequent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deficient limited rare scant scanty sparse sporadic

WEAK

at a premium failing few few and far between in short supply occasional seldom seldom met with semioccasional short shortened shy truncated uncommon unusual wanting

Antonyms

STRONGEST

adequate ample plentiful satisfactory sufficient

WEAK

abundant frequent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Basic food items such as vegetable oil and sugar became scarce on store shelves, Moscow’s then ambassador to Pyongyang told Russian state media in 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

These stocks are priced on the assumption that memory stays scarce.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

In forests where nitrogen is scarce, additional nitrogen can initially stimulate biological activity.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Rubbish bins are notoriously scarce in Japan, partly due to safety concerns after past terror attacks in the country and abroad.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Rich land is scarce in Kerm, and a Domain’s pride is in the length of its borders, and the lords of Kerm Land are proud men and umbrageous men, casting black shadows.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Vocabulary lists containing scarce

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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List 3

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