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Synonyms

few and far between

Idioms  

  1. At wide intervals, scarce, as in Supporters of the amendment are few and far between. This expression originally was used very literally for physical objects such as houses appearing at widely separated intervals. Today it is also used more loosely. [Mid-1600s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The reality, however, is that altruistic idealists are few and far between in this world.”

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

It has long been handicapped by a rule requiring full consensus among members, meaning decisions are few and far between.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

No small achievement: You have built up $965,000, including your inheritance, and your surplus every month is $6,000 before you spend money on leisure activities, which appear to be few and far between.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

He messaged often in the next few weeks but meetings were "few and far between".

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Schools for the gifted are few and far between.

From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.