Synonyms of austere

austere

adjective

ȯ-ˈstir 

1

as in strict

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 & Similar Words

• strict
• harsh
• tough
• authoritarian
• rigorous
• rigid
• stern
• severe
• hard
• gruff
• relentless
• flinty
• hardened
• merciless
• steadfast
• heavy-handed
• demanding
• ramrod
• ascetic
• dour
• unforgiving
• uncompromising
• pitiless
• adamant
• exacting
• inflexible
• unbending
• implacable
• unrelenting
• monastic
• stiff
• callous
• unyielding
• hard-line
• unsparing
• adamantine
• monkish
• uncharitable
• immovable
• ossified
• determined
• bullying
• unflinching
• hard-hearted
• rock-ribbed
• intractable
• obstinate
• dogged
• single-minded
• resolved
• firm
• browbeating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• indulgent
• lax
• lenient
• easy
• tolerant
• mild
• easygoing
• undemanding
• forbearing
• soft
• kind
• charitable
• patient
• merciful
• clement
• accepting
• laid-back
• responsive
• agreeable
• willing
• flexible
• yielding
• softhearted
• amenable
• compliant
• complaisant
• acquiescent
• pliant
• pliable
• compromising

2

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance

an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruff
• grim
• stern
• intimidating
• rugged
• fierce
• bleak
• forbidding
• hostile
• stark
• severe
• dour
• rough
• steely
• flinty
• somber
• cold
• dark
• hardened
• lowering
• solemn
• stubborn
• ungentle
• inhospitable
• moody
• resolute
• rigid
• black
• unfriendly
• stiff
• uncompromising
• steadfast
• unflinching
• inimical
• determined
• unsympathetic
• inflexible
• unbending
• implacable
• adamant
• unrelenting
• purposeful
• obdurate
• unyielding
• cheerless
• gloomy
• obstinate
• joyless
• morose
• melancholy
• bound
• serious
• sullen
• melancholic
• intent
• willful
• immovable
• unsmiling
• humorless
• staid
• hard
• resolved
• unchangeable
• brooding
• firm
• hardheaded
• fixed
• glum
• sober
• mulish
• immutable
• surly
• sulky
• self-willed
• weighty
• grave
• set
• ironhanded
• sobersided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• gentle
• benign
• bland
• soft
• mellow
• quiet
• meek
• benignant
• tender
• easy
• soothing
• tranquil
• pleasant
• sweet
• agreeable
• cheerful
• bright
• pleasing
• nonintimidating
• sunny
• inviting
• merry
• happy
• lighthearted
• mirthful
• frivolous
• playful
• silly
• glad
• goofy
• giddy
• scatterbrained
• harebrained
• flighty
• featherbrained
• light-headed

3

as in spartan

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 & Similar Words

• spartan
• simple
• stark
• no-frills
• unadorned
• plain
• undecorated
• unfancy
• unelaborate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• luxurious
• plush
• deluxe
• fancy
• elaborate
• luxe
• decorated
• Lucullan
• adorned

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective austere contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of austere are ascetic, severe, and stern. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," 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

When is ascetic a more appropriate choice than austere?

Although the words ascetic and austere have much in common, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When is it sensible to use severe instead of austere?

In some situations, the words severe and austere are roughly equivalent. However, severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

When could stern be used to replace austere?

The meanings of stern and austere largely overlap; however, stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of austere

From Demonstration To Deployment The system has operated unmanned, 24/7, with zero power outages—an achievement the company points to as proof of fuel-free operations in austere environments. —Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The goal is to agree on a conservation and dam-operations deal to last 20 years and replace a 2007 set of guidelines that have proven insufficiently austere to preserve reservoir storage in the face of 25 years of regional aridification. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Visitors cannot enter the repositories, but walkways along the exterior allow close views of the austere wooden structures and their distinctive clay-and-charcoal foundations. —Navya Verma, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026

Such a system could support drone operations from austere coastal locations with limited runway access. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025