austerity

noun

aus·ter·i·ty | \ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē,

-ˈste-rə- also -ˈstir-ə-\

plural austerities

Definition of austerity

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]

3a : 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

An especially disturbing anecdote at the end of the Times story revealed a McKinsey & Company study measured the public reception of economic austerity measures introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2015. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "NYTimes report shows how Twitter, McKinsey were complicit in helping Saudi Arabia silence critics," 20 Oct. 2018 The Pharoahs’ poor showing in Russia hit the public even harder, coming at time that constant price increases are being introduced as part of an austerity program to overhaul the economy. — Washington Post, "Love for Salah offers refuge from Egypt’s World Cup exit," 28 June 2018 The Pharoahs’ poor showing in Russia hit the public even harder, coming at time that constant price increases are being introduced as part of an austerity program to overhaul the economy. — Hamza Hendawi, The Seattle Times, "Love for Salah offers refuge from Egypt’s World Cup exit," 26 June 2018 The Pharoahs' poor showing in Russia hit the public even harder, coming at time that constant price increases are being introduced as part of an austerity program to overhaul the economy. — Hamza Hendawi, chicagotribune.com, "Love for Mohamed Salah offers refuge from Egypt's World Cup exit," 26 June 2018 Kate’s modest dresses and glossy hair are very much in keeping with England’s new austerity program, the return to traditional British values that the new government is so keen on. — Will Frears, NYMag.com, "The Real Housewives of Kensington Palace," 20 Mar. 2011 Britain's austerity spending cuts would mean a reduction of 14,000 in the number of military personnel, a 10 per cent reduction from the current staffing level of 137,000. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "SH-99 construction drawing near in Liberty County," 26 June 2018 There is a perennial lightness to his food, which is not to say austerity. — Jonathan Kauffman, SFChronicle.com, "The Mission’s best vegetarian-friendly restaurants," 17 June 2018 Politicians frame the threat to Social Security too narrowly, and counsel austerityThe declining birthrate itself has the potential to exacerbate economic strain. — Alex Press, Vox, "The record-low birthrate offers yet another sign that millennials are economically screwed," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'austerity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.