austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē 
-ˈste-rə-
also -ˈstir-ə-
plural austerities
1
: the quality or state of being austere: such as
a
: a stern and serious quality
the formal austerity of his manner
b
: a plain and simple quality
the austerity of the design
2
: enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale
lived through years of austerity after the war
fiscal austerity
a series of austerity measures [=measures taken to reduce spending]
3
a
: an austere act, manner, or attitude
monastic self-denial and austerities
b
: an ascetic (see ascetic sense 1) practice
Examples of austerity in a Sentence
the austerity of the design
The austerity of their lifestyle was surprising.
They lived through years of austerity after the war.
the austerities practiced by monks
Recent Examples on the Web
Even simpler was the milky white porcelain that eventually became the primary production of the Joseon’s official kilns, its austerity felt to be more in keeping with the virtues of Confucianism.
—
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
And in time, anti-tax ideology might threaten the country’s solvency and end up necessitating austerity budgets.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Romania will rely on a minority government to push through reforms needed to secure billions of euros in European Union funds after the largest party in the coalition quit in a dispute over unpopular austerity measures.
—Andra Timu, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
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Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
And in time, anti-tax ideology might threaten the country’s solvency and end up necessitating austerity budgets.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Romania will rely on a minority government to push through reforms needed to secure billions of euros in European Union funds after the largest party in the coalition quit in a dispute over unpopular austerity measures.
—Andra Timu, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē
plural austerities
1
: the quality or state of being austere
2
: an austere act, manner, or attitude
3
: a way of living with few or no luxuries
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