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
After dabbling with Moneyball — which is just a clever rebranding of austerity — the Giants are acting like a big-money, big-market team.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The simplicity of the nuns’ way of life is reflected in the austerity of Gregorian chant, which is also known as plainchant.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
The long-term effects of austerity are still playing out.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
China has announced a raft of measures to resuscitate a plateauing economy, even as the country's new premier warns its legions of bureaucrats to gird themselves for a period of fiscal austerity ahead.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024
Just like the Great Depression ushered in decades of frugality and austerity — with an entire generation reusing plastic bags, jam jars and aluminum foil — there are signs the coronavirus crisis has had the opposite effect: nudging Americans toward spending more, especially on experiences.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Like the choice of the word itself, austerity was politically calculated.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The Socialist and the mainstream conservative Social Democratic party in recent decades have presided over a painful financial crisis and tough austerity period.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And a constant marinade for our work is chronic conditions—so things like social care collapsing, or very poor financial situations, austerity—and also, obviously, conflict.
—Rob Reddick, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The simplicity of the nuns’ way of life is reflected in the austerity of Gregorian chant, which is also known as plainchant.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
The long-term effects of austerity are still playing out.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
China has announced a raft of measures to resuscitate a plateauing economy, even as the country's new premier warns its legions of bureaucrats to gird themselves for a period of fiscal austerity ahead.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024
Just like the Great Depression ushered in decades of frugality and austerity — with an entire generation reusing plastic bags, jam jars and aluminum foil — there are signs the coronavirus crisis has had the opposite effect: nudging Americans toward spending more, especially on experiences.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Like the choice of the word itself, austerity was politically calculated.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The Socialist and the mainstream conservative Social Democratic party in recent decades have presided over a painful financial crisis and tough austerity period.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And a constant marinade for our work is chronic conditions—so things like social care collapsing, or very poor financial situations, austerity—and also, obviously, conflict.
—Rob Reddick, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'austerity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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