Synonyms of scarce

scarce

adjective

ˈskers 

1

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

food was a bit scarce last winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparse
• poor
• lacking
• scanty
• insufficient
• scant
• meager
• lowest
• inadequate
• skimpy
• light
• spare
• small
• sparing
• stingy
• short
• slender
• minimal
• exiguous
• mere
• deficient
• thin on the ground
• slim
• thin
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• least
• wanting
• slightest
• sterile
• littlest
• bare
• bare-bones
• unfruitful
• barren
• unproductive
• slight
• infertile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundant
• plentiful
• sufficient
• adequate
• ample
• enough
• generous
• copious
• satisfactory
• liberal
• bountiful
• rich
• tolerable
• fertile
• prolific
• fruitful
• plenteous
• fat
• lavish
• extra
• excess
• bursting
• fecund
• luxuriant
• surplus
• flourishing
• thriving
• proliferative
• teeming
• blooming
• swarming

2

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

• lacking
• insufficient
• low
• inadequate
• short
• deficient
• wanting
• sparse
• shy
• unacceptable
• scanty
• scant
• unsatisfactory
• meager
• poor
• substandard
• skimpy
• spare
• small
• stingy
• slender
• lean
• light
• mere
• slim
• minimum
• bare
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• slight

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• sufficient
• enough
• abundant
• plentiful
• ample
• copious
• generous
• bountiful
• liberal
• plenteous
• bounteous
• enlarged
• supplemented
• satisfactory
• expanded
• large
• tolerable
• rich
• overflowing
• considerable
• substantial
• plenitudinous
• lavish
• teeming
• big
• sizable
• super
• luxuriant
• abounding
• hefty
• oversize
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

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

Recent Examples of scarce

However, as climate shifts affect food supply, habitable ecosystems are becoming increasingly scarce. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Otherwise, California must compete internationally for more expensive and increasingly scarce fuel imports from Asia. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

The war has also triggered a collapse in domestic demand and imports, Tuvey said, adding that while official data are scarce, trade figures for March from trading partners showed exports to Iran have plummeted. —Anniek Bao,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026

Staples have become a scarce commodity. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026