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
District officials — typically Carvalho — have acknowledged a multibillion-dollar reserve but have insisted that ongoing commitments and declining revenue are on track to exhaust those reserves in about three years, unless the district adopts austerity measures.
—
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Officials also ordered austerity measures to conserve energy, including having government employees work from home and urging people to use the stairs instead of elevators.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Neighboring Pakistan has also announced extreme austerity measures, including school closures and work-from-home policies.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
While audio listening overall continues on a healthy trajectory, the go-go times of a few years ago, when Spotify and rivals were scooping up talent and emerging studios, have segued to a period of relative austerity.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
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Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Officials also ordered austerity measures to conserve energy, including having government employees work from home and urging people to use the stairs instead of elevators.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Neighboring Pakistan has also announced extreme austerity measures, including school closures and work-from-home policies.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
While audio listening overall continues on a healthy trajectory, the go-go times of a few years ago, when Spotify and rivals were scooping up talent and emerging studios, have segued to a period of relative austerity.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Mar. 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 21 Mar. 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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