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 to many observers, this fetishization of austerity has contributed to decades of underinvestment in domestic infrastructure − from roads, to schools, to public buildings, to broader public services − failures which the AfD has been eager to exploit.
—
Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
The Medicaid program appears to be a very likely target of budget austerity measures, to help partially pay for an extension of the tax cuts enacted during President Trump’s first term in office.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
To upgrade its army and kick-start its economy, Berlin is ending its long addiction to austerity, lifting a constitutional constraint that since 2009 has limited annual debt spending to a mere 0.35 percent of gross domestic product.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
His stance on fiscal austerity has drawn both support and criticism, with some accusing his office of obstructing federal funds, including foreign aid and emergency relief programs.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
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Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
The Medicaid program appears to be a very likely target of budget austerity measures, to help partially pay for an extension of the tax cuts enacted during President Trump’s first term in office.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
To upgrade its army and kick-start its economy, Berlin is ending its long addiction to austerity, lifting a constitutional constraint that since 2009 has limited annual debt spending to a mere 0.35 percent of gross domestic product.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
His stance on fiscal austerity has drawn both support and criticism, with some accusing his office of obstructing federal funds, including foreign aid and emergency relief programs.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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