Sparse
Sparse adjective - Less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable.
Usage example: open land is sparse around here
Nearby Word: sparsely
Short
Short adjective - Not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need.
Usage example: regrettably, the art supplies are short this year, so you'll have to share
Sparse is a synonym for short in scarce topic. Sometimes you can use "Sparse" instead an adjective "Short", if it concerns topics such as insufficient.
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Short and Sparse. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/sparse/short
Sparse & Short. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/sparse/short>.
Short or Sparse. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/sparse/short.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "sparse" and "short" have occurred on timeline