General lack of something:
* Hardly any: This is a straightforward and common replacement.
* Next to nothing: Emphasizes the small amount.
* Barely any: Similar to "hardly any," stressing the minimal quantity.
* A pittance: Suggests a derisively small amount, often of money or resources.
* A smattering: Implies a small, scattered amount, often referring to knowledge or skill.
* A drop in the bucket: Means a very insignificant amount compared to the total needed.
* Not much: Simple and versatile.
* Little to nothing: Similar to "next to nothing."
Focus on insufficiency:
* Scant: Implies a shortage or deficiency.
* Meager: Suggests something is too small or insufficient.
* Slim pickings: Refers to a very small selection or amount available.
Figurative language (depending on context):
* A snowflake's chance in hell: (Hyperbolic) Expresses near impossibility of having anything.
* Chicken feed: (Mostly for money) A tiny, insignificant amount.
When choosing a replacement, consider:
* The specific thing you're referring to: "Scant resources" sounds different from "scant information."
* The degree of emphasis: "Hardly any" is less dramatic than "next to nothing."
* Your overall tone: "A pittance" is more critical than "not much."
Provide the sentence where you want to use this phrase, and I can give you a more precise suggestion.