austerity

noun aus·ter·i·ty \ ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē , -ˈste-rə- also -ˈstir-ə- \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: austerity in a Sentence

Definition of austerity

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 1) practice

See austerity defined for English-language learners

See austerity defined for kids

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 of austerity from the Web

But it is tied to austerity measures, including cutting the budget deficit, which reached 3.9% in 2017, to 1.3% of GDP next year and to zero by 2020.

— The Economist, "Argentina’s currency crisis is far from over," 5 July 2018
This week the Los Angeles Times noted: The country recently saw tens of thousands of protesters in the streets because of a controversial tax bill and austerity measures by the government, leading Abdullah to dissolve the existing government.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Kings of Tax Reform," 29 June 2018
Since the onset of austerity, local and central government have driven ever-harder deals with their contractors.

— The Economist, "Britain’s outsourcing model, copied around the world, is in trouble," 28 June 2018
But the nation still faces pressure from creditors, and a new government may have few options besides austerity and taxes.

— nabih bulos, latimes.com, "King Abdullah II of Jordan faces economic woes and other issues as he promotes 'peace-affirming Islam'," 27 June 2018
At a time when teachers are rising up against austerity, including cuts with harmful effects in their classrooms, their union is a critically important vehicle to help them help their students and the profession.

— evan stone, Washington Post, "As unions await a key Supreme Court decision, a simple plea: ‘Educators want their voices heard’," 21 June 2018
Unable to buy cheap petroleum that had long been imported from the Soviet Union, many people lived in austerity and near-famine conditions.

— molly glentzer, Houston Chronicle, "Art Daybook: Belkis Ayón’s Cuban perspective," 20 June 2018
Greece shows where Italy is probably headed: a showdown with the E.U., and forced austerity, which will only empower the populist extremes still further.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "Is the World Done With Liberal Democracy?," 1 June 2018
In the meanwhile, Mattarella has appointed a technocratic, pro-austerity interim government—a move that only plays into the hands of the frustrated League and 5Star Movement parties, who now get to whip up more anti-establishment sentiment.

— alan murray, Fortune, "Italian Turmoil, Spanish Turmoil, North Korea: CEO Daily for May 29, 2018," 29 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.

Origin and Etymology of austerity

see austere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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AUSTERITY Defined for English Language Learners

austerity

noun

Definition of austerity for English Language Learners

: a simple and plain quality : an austere quality
: a situation in which there is not much money and it is spent only on things that are necessary
austerities : things that are done to live in a simple and plain way