SCARCE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scarce

adjective

ˈskers

Definition of scarce

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

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 Just when a company needs hundreds of millions of dollars to compete globally, domestic capital becomes scarce. — Wal Van Lierop, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Available genealogy records were scarce, and accessible DNA databases had little representation from those populations, Ramapo officials said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Evidence isn’t scarce as to why Canadians have a newfound distaste for the White House. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Mauritania’s waters have become a major route for people from sub-Saharan Africa seeking a better life in Europe as economic opportunities remain scarce at home. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce

Adjective

Sacramento in particular would see only sparse raindrops in between more cloudy skies.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Enter Reeve, who was only 24 when filming began, with a sparse screen resume.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

Ohio's fittest cities don't rank in the national top 25, but that doesn't mean the Buckeye State is unhealthy or lacking amenities.

— Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Where to Stay Ely hosts a handful of hotels and motels within town limits, but true luxury accommodations are somewhat lacking.

— Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lacking

Adjective

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Prevents Calcium Deficiency That Can Reduce Bone Strength Individuals with reduced calcium absorption or insufficient dietary intake may be at risk of calcium deficiency and may require a supplement.

— Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026
But tariffs alone proved insufficient to tackle the security risks that come with Chinese monopoly power, and Washington has begun to experiment with many more tools of industrial policy.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of insufficient

Adjective

Bonnell Bonnell isn’t the first to come to the electric off-road motorcycle arena, but its strategy is to differentiate itself through integration, adjustability and relatively low weight rather than simply trying to win the horsepower spreadsheet.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
In a footnote to his dissent, Roberts wrote that the underground work on the project – which lower courts had allowed to proceed – addressed the government’s security concerns.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

According to the whistleblower, testing of this new system has been inadequate.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Gartner predicts that over 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs, unclear business value and inadequate risk controls.

— Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of inadequate

Browse Nearby Words

scaramouches

scarce

scarcely

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“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scarce

adjective

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