scarcity

noun

scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sə-tē How to pronounce scarcity (audio)
-stē
plural scarcities
Synonyms of scarcity
: the quality or state of being scarce
especially : want of provisions for the support of life

Synonyms of scarcity

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Examples of scarcity in a Sentence

Scarcity of food forced the herds to move. the scarcity of good restaurants around here is surprising
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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.
Grantham’s own framing reaches for an even longer horizon, tying market excess to demographic collapse and resource scarcity. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 If all goes according to plan, Gu Grocery will help close a deepening food scarcity gap in Chinatown. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The end of the lock-up period on Thursday starts to remove that scarcity. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Foundational to all economic thinking, scarcity is the reason why the frontier exists at all. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scarcity

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scarcity was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

scarceness
scarcity
scarcity economics
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Cite this Entry

“Scarcity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarcity. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scarcity

noun
scar·​ci·​ty ˈsker-sət-ē How to pronounce scarcity (audio)
ˈskar-
plural scarcities
: the quality or state of being scarce : a very small supply

More from Merriam-Webster on scarcity

Nglish: Translation of scarcity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scarcity

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