dearth

noun

ˈdərth How to pronounce dearth (audio)
Definition of dearthnext
1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number there was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lack
the fact or state of being absent the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dearth The dearth of qualified healthcare workers is already putting existing institutions under tremendous strain. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 July 2026 Nobody can say what effect commercial fishing might have on the ecosystem in this region, given the dearth of scientific knowledge about the Arctic Ocean. — David Balton, The Conversation, 15 June 2026 As if the sudden influx of orders weren't enough, Carmy also has to contend with feuding employees, a delinquent trainee, a distracted pastry chef, a dearth of giardiniera, and a dry Sharpie. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 The blockbuster IPOs for SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI would create record exit activity for VC firms in the US after a dearth of activity in the wake of 2021’s peak. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dearth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dearth
  1. shortage
  2. lack
  3. absence
Noun
  • The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • Keli Gonzalez, a painter the museum commissioned, became frustrated by the lack of female representation.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The lack of a World Cup title is the one gap on his historic résumé.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • Their absence from the London leg of the trip now raises questions about whether a family reunion will happen during the visit.
    — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • The report argues that the museum has deemphasized America’s founding, noting the absence of major exhibits devoted to the Founding Fathers or key events of the American Revolution as the country marks its 250th anniversary.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of absence

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Cite this Entry

“Dearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dearth. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dearth

Nglish: Translation of dearth for Spanish Speakers

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