Definition of austerity
austerities
1 : the quality or state of being austere: such asa : a stern and serious quality the formal austerity of his mannerb : 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 austeritiesb : an ascetic (see ascetic 1) practice
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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
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But maybe these are messages that play to their core votes: Theresa May, security and him (Corbyn) talking about austerity.
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If adopted by Congress, leaders in the science community worry the austerity measures could deepen what some already consider an ongoing research crisis with lasting effects on the nation’s well-being.
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Police Cuts Without making an explicit link to the Manchester attack, Corbyn sought to turn the tables on the Conservatives by suggesting that their austerity measures have led to cuts in police numbers that endangered the public.
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Southern European countries still resent Germany's support of painful and (for them) damaging austerity policies.
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Southern European countries still resent Germany’s support of painful and (for them) damaging austerity policies.
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Brazil’s sluggish economy, which has not responded as vigorously to Mr. Temer’s proposed austerity measures as his supporters had hoped, accounts for much of the sour mood, some have argued.
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The idea is to turn the recent budgetary austerity measures taken by NATO governments into opportunities to pool defense resources.
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
First Known Use: 14th century
AUSTERITY Defined for English Language Learners
austerity
playDefinition of austerity for English Language Learners
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: a simple and plain quality : an austere quality
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: a situation in which there is not much money and it is spent only on things that are necessary
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austerities : things that are done to live in a simple and plain way
AUSTERITY Defined for Kids
austerity
playDefinition of austerity for Students
: lack of all luxury
Learn More about austerity
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See words that rhyme with austerity Spanish Central: Translation of austerity Nglish: Translation of austerity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of austerity for Arabic speakers
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