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 Estimators spend scarce hours manually measuring quantities that software could calculate while higher-value judgment calls wait behind them. — Shiva Dhawan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The moment a technology’s frontier comes to depend on vast quantities of scarce inputs, its production becomes a matter of geopolitics. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 That proposition is becoming more urgent as AI makes content increasingly plentiful while attention remains scarce. — Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 Those measurements take time and are expensive, so a good shortlist helps researchers spend scarce telescope time wisely, the team says. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarce

Adjective

Across bat species, 9 percent are known so far to have odor-producing glands and other structures, but research on this is sparse, according to a 2021 paper in Mammal Review co-authored by Page.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
The incident appeared in the university’s crime log with sparse details, but officials did not respond to CNN’s inquiry about whether students were broadly notified of the allegations.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lacking

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

The report also noted that insufficient demand for recycled textiles presents an additional challenge, since recyclers aren’t likely to scale their efforts without a market for the recycled product.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
For her family, protections put in place before the violence proved insufficient.

— Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insufficient

Adjective

Landrew came off the bench for the first time this preseason and used his physicality to get to the basket for a pair of layups in the first half while Oskar Giltay battled with 7-foot-4 Daniel Jacobsen down low.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
The distance is worth it for travelers who want a budget-friendly hotel that still has loads of style, as prices tend to be significantly lower than downtown hotels.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

Were those outbreaks traced to flooding from unusually heavy rainfall, leaking roofs, inadequate humidity control or some combination of factors?

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Another study that year among men in Limpopo province found that almost two-thirds had inadequate awareness of prostate cancer, while more than 80% knew nothing about screening methods.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scarce

adjective

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