scarcity

[ skair-si-tee ]

noun

, plural scar·ci·ties.

1. insufficiency or shortness of supply; dearth.

   Synonyms: paucity, lack, want, shortage

2. rarity; infrequency.

scarcity

/ ˈskɛəsɪtɪ /

noun

1. inadequate supply; dearth; paucity
2. rarity or infrequent occurrence

Other Words From

• non·scarci·ty noun plural nonscarcities

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarcity¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scarsete(e), from Old North French escarsete; equivalent to scarce + -ity

Example Sentences

His fear that white Americans were being replaced by an army of invaders who must be repelled seemed to me symptoms of a reactive white supremacy, exacerbated by worries over scarcity brought on by the radically changing environment.

From Salon

He imagined a future in which “resources and livable conditions are scarce. Scarcity is the rule, and requires a degree of self-interest. Population problems are beyond solution by migration. No habitable unclaimed lands remain.”

From Salon

Now, politicians, newscasters, podcast hosts and white nationalists were picking up his ideas about pollution and scarcity, immigration and global warming, that fit their agendas, swirling them together with historical tropes about ecology and racist thought and conspiracy theories, not sure, necessarily, where the ideas had come from but eager to trade on their currency.

From Salon

The site posted dozens of articles about climate-driven disasters each year, and while it often denied warming, it was full of stories about resource scarcity and food shortages and migrants, too, all published near numerous stories about the great replacement theory.

From Salon

The project is long overdue, said Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dearth
• drought
• famine
• inadequacy
• insufficiency
• lack
• paucity
• shortage