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
• stiff
• unrelenting
• monastic
• callous
• unyielding
• hard-line
• unsparing
• adamantine
• monkish
• ascetical
• uncharitable
• immovable
• ossified
• determined
• bullying
• unflinching
• hard-hearted
• intractable
• rock-ribbed
• 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
• rugged
• fierce
• intimidating
• bleak
• forbidding
• hostile
• stark
• severe
• dour
• rough
• steely
• flinty
• somber
• cold
• dark
• hardened
• lowering
• stubborn
• ungentle
• louring
• moody
• solemn
• inhospitable
• black
• resolute
• rigid
• unfriendly
• stiff
• uncompromising
• steadfast
• unflinching
• inimical
• unsympathetic
• inflexible
• unbending
• implacable
• unrelenting
• adamant
• purposeful
• sombre
• obdurate
• unyielding
• determined
• wilful
• cheerless
• gloomy
• obstinate
• joyless
• morose
• bound
• sullen
• melancholy
• serious
• melancholic
• willful
• immovable
• unsmiling
• humorless
• staid
• hard
• intent
• resolved
• firm
• brooding
• hardheaded
• fixed
• glum
• unchangeable
• 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
• luxe
• fancy
• elaborate
• decorated
• Lucullan
• Lucullian
• 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

While for many years the austere and exacting widow Agnes ran her East 61st Street home with an iron fist of propriety and high necklines, everything changed at the end of Season 2. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 June 2025

Hawke’s not overeager to please, as some screen actors can be on the stage, and comfortable enough to be particular and austere (there is also, in this play that’s so much about fathers and daughters, the metatextual element of seeing a famous daughter). —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2025

Bergoglio the priest and archbishop As a Jesuit living under a vow of poverty, Bergoglio led a humble and austere life, forgoing even the slightest of luxuries. —Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025

According to the reviews of the time, Rookwood Pottery mixed the industrial with the funky and the austere. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025