dearth

an acute insufficiency

Scarcity which renders dear; want; lack; specifically, lack of food on account of failure of crops; famine.

Old English dēorþ, scarcity

“Is it my deficiency of attraction, or a total dearth of gallant snobs?' The Countess was drowned.”

— George Meredith, Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith

Feroz, Karachi's self-proclaimed food critic, faced a dearth of good meals during Zainab. Each iftar left him more critical than satisfied. Until one night, a hidden alley served up a spicy truth: sometimes hunger makes every bite divine.

At the Mercado de la Merced, Kenji wandered among the stalls, his eyes wide with anticipation. But as he reached the far end where the once-abundant flower vendors used to be, he found only empty spaces and a dearth of color, the concrete floor stark without its usual riot of blooms.

“Vigée Le Brun praised her wit and intellect, although Vigée Le Brun found little inspirations in these evenings, citing Kaufmann's lack of enthusiasm and Vigée Le Brun's own dearth of knowledge.”