dearth
a scarcity or shortage of something
Word origin: From Middle English derth, from dere, costly or scarce.
Dearth in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing dearth in a sentence.
A dearth of rain that summer left the reservoirs dangerously low.
The region's dearth of trained physicians forced patients to travel hours for routine care.
Using “dearth” well
Dearth means a damaging shortage and pairs with scarcity and paucity. Despite sounding related to death, the words are unconnected; dearth derives from dear in the old sense of costly because scarce.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a sudden and complete failure or collapse
Questions about “dearth”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.