Synonyms for Scarce
Definition of scarce
adverb
- only a very short time before; "they could barely hear the speaker"; "we hardly knew them"; "just missed being hit"; "had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open"; "would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave"- W.B.Yeats
adjective
- deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand; "fresh vegetables were scarce during the drought"
8 synonyms found
Writing tips for "scarce"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like barely, deficient, hardly can replace "scarce" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 8 alternatives available, "scarce" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.