austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē How to pronounce austerity (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If that scenario unfolds, the U.S. could be forced into painful austerity. Selina Wang, ABC News, 4 July 2025 Onganía promised nothing less than a new social order: a project of economic modernization marked by austerity, and a cultural policy that included censoring artists, attacking the autonomy of universities, banning miniskirts, and prohibiting long hair for men. Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 But voters from across the political spectrum oppose the austerity plans for Medicaid and the ACA. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Mamet’s austerity and sparseness hold these three sequences together. Armond White, National Review, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for austerity

Word History

Etymology

see austere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of austerity was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

austerity

noun
aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē How to pronounce austerity (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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