Thesaurus

austere

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of austere

1 given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint

an austere conductor who is as tough on himself as he is on the orchestra

Synonyms of austere

authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, tough

Words Related to austere

demanding, exacting

uncharitable, unforgiving

adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding

ascetic (also ascetical), monastic, monkish

browbeating, bullying

determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching

dogged, intractable, obstinate, relentless

Near Antonyms of austere

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding

charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted

accepting, compromising, yielding

responsive, willing

acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

Antonyms of austere

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant

2 harsh and threatening in manner or appearance

an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs

Synonyms of austere

dour, fierce, flinty, forbidding, grim, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, stark, steely, stern, ungentle

Words Related to austere

bleak, cold, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, unfriendly, unsympathetic

adamant, bound, determined, firm, intent, purposeful, resolute, resolved, steadfast, unflinching

fixed, hard, hardened, hardheaded, immovable, implacable, inflexible, ironhanded, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, self-willed, set, stiff, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)

immutable, unchangeable

black, cheerless, dark, gloomy, glum, joyless, melancholic, moody, morose, sulky, sullen, surly

brooding, grave, humorless, melancholy, serious, sober, sobersided, solemn, somber (or sombre), staid, unsmiling, weighty

Near Antonyms of austere

bland, meek, mellow, soft, soothing

easy, quiet, tranquil

agreeable, bright, cheerful, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, sweet

glad, happy, lighthearted, merry, mirthful, sunny

featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, giddy, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, playful, scatterbrained, silly

Antonyms of austere

benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender

3 providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious

for the private office of the CEO of the large corporation, the room is unexpectedly austere

Synonyms of austere

no-frills, spartan, stark

Words Related to austere

plain, simple, unadorned, undecorated, unelaborate, unfancy

Near Antonyms of austere

adorned, decorated, elaborate, fancy

Antonyms of austere

deluxe, Lucullan (also Lucullian), luxe, luxurious, plush

Synonym Discussion of austere

severe, stern, austere, ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

- severe military discipline

stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

- stern arbiters of public morality

austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

- living an austere life in the country

ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

- the ascetic life of the monks

Learn More about austere

Dictionary: Definition of austere Spanish Central: Translation of austere Nglish: Translation of austere for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of austere for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up austere? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

flounce

to move with exaggerated bouncy motions