1
2
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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of austere This austere throwback is fated to be forever known as the movie in which its star accidentally fired a gun with a live round and fatally wounded a crew member. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025 The walls of these rooms accomplish a kind of muting of her aura, a place where veneration feels austere or regimented by bureaucracy. Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Here, austere elegance defines luxury—no TVs in rooms, no gym, not even a swimming pool. Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025 All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past. Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for austere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere
Adjective
  • By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • For many kids, this is about just expressing themselves, rather than strict communication, Estevez says.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • This garment gets exposed to harsher conditions than most clothing.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • More precipitation in these locations could make up for the harsh cold season.
    Jordan-Marie Smith, NPR, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Sitting in on India press conferences can often be a bit grim, carefully orchestrated by the team's hierarchy and little is usually given to their hungry press corps.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • India claims to have targeted militant infrastructure, but the reality is grim: at least 26 Pakistani civilians -including women and a young child were reported killed in the strikes.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • The religious symbol was decorated with white florals and greenery, and served as the backdrop to Pell and James' simple and serene ceremony.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • Simple Systems: Create ease and flow with simple back-end structures and client journeys.
    Christine Williams, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Dodging tough questions without seeming a bit evasive.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 10 May 2025
  • But his sharpness increased as the tournament progressed, especially in the semi-final against his toughest opponent on paper, Stephen Nedoroscik.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • And Hannah Waddingham gives a good, stern space-lady as the voice of the Galactic Grand Councilwoman.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy put his arm round Amad, who wore a stern expression before going onto the pitch.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Looking at Nola’s performance thus far in 2025 compared to 2024, there are stark areas of similarity and difference.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • However, the starkest drop—from 2.6 percent to 1.3 percent—occurred between 1987 to 2014, with the figure only beginning to increase in 2019.
    Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on austere

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!