Food is still scarce in the region.
Source: tatoeba (45152)
Scarce
/ˈskɛəs/
Synonyms for "scarce" (134 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (27)
Determiner(4 words)
a small numberfew instancesfew minutesfew options
almost unheard-ofat a premiumbarelycheeseparingchinchychintzycurtaileddeficientexceptionalexiguousfailingfew
Adverb(1 words)
Verb(1 words)
Noun(3 words)
few resourcesfossil fuel depletionfr exclusif
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (40)
hardlyin short supplyinadequateinfrequentinsufficientlackingmeagermiserlyniggardlynot to be hadoccasionalout of printout of seasonout of stockpiddlingpoorpremiumrare
Adjective(3 words)
Adjective(15 words)
infrequentinsufficientknapplimitedlimited availabilitylimited infrastructurelimited quantitylimited resourceslow countlow count samplesmeagernonrenewable resourcespunierrarerare case
Related words (67)
Noun(8 words)
Adjective(24 words)
rare fossilrare phenomenonrare valuerarerrarestscantscant amountscant numberscant turnoutscantiestscarce resourcesscarcestshortsmall numbersmall quantitysmall remnant populationsparsesparse indicatorssparse matrixthin
Show 4 more words
Adverb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: a small number, almost unheard-of, at a premium, barely, barely.
- Sentence evidence is available for scarce, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, wordnet, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "scarce".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "scarce"
Keep "scarce" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "scarce" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "scarce", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "scarce" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesavailabilitydistributioneconomic principlefrequencyinsufficientlimitedoccurrencequantityresource allocation
More specific
13 entriescritical resourcesessential goodsinfrequent sightingsmeager amountmeager supplyrare booksrare metalsscant resourcessparse fundingsparse populationthin coveragethin supplyuncommon artifacts
Collocations
6 entriesscarce datascarce foodscarce fundingscarce opportunitiesscarce rainfallscarce resources
Inflections
2 entriesDerivations
2 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
7 entriesSample sentences
22 total sentences available.
Water is scarce in this area.
Source: tatoeba (57924)
Rain is scarce in this country.
Source: tatoeba (59252)
Oil is scarce in this country.
Source: tatoeba (59271)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "scarce"?
Closest matches include a small number, almost unheard-of, at a premium, barely, barely.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "scarce"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.