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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of austere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The wake takes place at her large, austere house, where light flows through the windows but the walls are cement and the emotional chill is inescapable. Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 The interiors, which Roberts sketched together with her studio’s lead designer, Robin Rathmann-Noonan, are quiet but not austere, with a mostly off-white and smoky taupe palette interrupted by dark blues and hints of red. Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2024 Vouvray can range from dry to off-dry to rich and austere and can age for a century. Johnny Noakes, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2024 According to the group’s hard-line and austere interpretation of Islam, women should remain covered outside the home. Marc Smith, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for austere 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'austere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near austere

Cite this Entry

“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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