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
But Wilders did not formally join the minority administration and brought it down after just 18 months in office in a dispute over austerity measures.
—
Bradford Betz, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
Some see a wave of austerity coming to an industry known for its glamour and largesse.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023
There’s little hint of austerity on the rest of the campus.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023
The advertising holding company has seen results lag this year as clients in tech and telecoms pull back amid broader austerity measures.
—WSJ, 20 Oct. 2023
While the council plans to shield the vulnerable sections of the population from the impact of this austerity measure, councils elsewhere have hiked taxes to shore up finances in the past.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2023
Her book Fear City: New York’s Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics (2017) tells the story of New York City’s near bankruptcy in 1975 and its subsequent austerity program.
—Sam Needleman, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2023
In that regard, Franco’s latest represents a slight departure, without surrendering the director’s signature austerity and intensity.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
The ethical axis contrasts Ephraim’s rigid Protestant moralism and austerity with Nicholas’s arrogant amorality, which is given a florid, quasi-Nietzschean or even Randian tinge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023
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Bradford Betz, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
Some see a wave of austerity coming to an industry known for its glamour and largesse.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023
There’s little hint of austerity on the rest of the campus.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023
The advertising holding company has seen results lag this year as clients in tech and telecoms pull back amid broader austerity measures.
—WSJ, 20 Oct. 2023
While the council plans to shield the vulnerable sections of the population from the impact of this austerity measure, councils elsewhere have hiked taxes to shore up finances in the past.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2023
Her book Fear City: New York’s Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics (2017) tells the story of New York City’s near bankruptcy in 1975 and its subsequent austerity program.
—Sam Needleman, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2023
In that regard, Franco’s latest represents a slight departure, without surrendering the director’s signature austerity and intensity.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
The ethical axis contrasts Ephraim’s rigid Protestant moralism and austerity with Nicholas’s arrogant amorality, which is given a florid, quasi-Nietzschean or even Randian tinge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Phrases Containing austerity
Dictionary Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on austerity
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for austerity
Nglish: Translation of austerity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of austerity for Arabic Speakers
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