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

However, judging by the content of the minutes, specific details were sparse.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
According to Grande Cosmetics, apply GrandeBROW once daily on a clean, dry brow, concentrating on sparse areas.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

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
Which is to say quality constraints on what Paramount could conceivably dump into theaters are totally lacking.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 13 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

Liman dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit, finding that his claims against Lively, Reynolds and others were legally insufficient.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
And 29 percent of respondents said insufficient total stock is their biggest inventory concern.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of insufficient

Adjective

Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
The low-molecular-weight collagen seeps into your skin as an in-office treatment would, reducing the size of pores and lifting saggy, crepey skin.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

Yields dipped and then rebounded in the wake of the Treasury buyback move, a signal that bond investors believed Bessent's moves were inadequate.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Flat outsole sneakers lack the arch support that keeps the foot from rolling in and provide inadequate shock absorption.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadequate

Browse Nearby Words

scaramouches

scarce

scarcely

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scarce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarce. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scarce

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes