1
as in sacrifice
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
They moved off the grid to live a life of austerity.
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2
as in gruffness
the quality or state of being stern and serious in manner or appearance
His air of austerity tends to put others off.
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3
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
His family spent years living in austerity during the recession.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of austerity
Nearly four months later, the Big Ten campus just outside Chicago eliminated 425 employee positions, amid similar austerity measures at other colleges due to changing government policies.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Campaigners say high debt servicing costs and the IMF’s focus on austerity measures erodes public health care and education systems.
—semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Pale wood floors, crisp white linens edged in black, and black steel accents give the spaces discipline without slipping into austerity.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite the austerity of her ambitions, there are moments of lush imagination that leaven the tone somewhat, like a dream sequence in which Teresa, furiously making bread in the middle of the night, is teased by an impish child.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Campaigners say high debt servicing costs and the IMF’s focus on austerity measures erodes public health care and education systems.
—semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Pale wood floors, crisp white linens edged in black, and black steel accents give the spaces discipline without slipping into austerity.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite the austerity of her ambitions, there are moments of lush imagination that leaven the tone somewhat, like a dream sequence in which Teresa, furiously making bread in the middle of the night, is teased by an impish child.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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For Verlander, his latest quality start was possible due in part to a sacrifice from Dominic Smith, who sacrificed his body for an out.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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At which point Tyler re-enters the room and is given up by the terrified crowd (and, more importantly, anointed by Joan) as one of three people — including Bracken and one of the show’s dancers — who must make the film’s titular sacrifice to save the world from an imminent catastrophe.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mackay and Turner are both excellent, two movie stars who seem totally game to be asked to move with real gruffness.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Industrial Revolution brought widespread misery in the form of brutal factory working conditions.—
P.E. Moskowitz
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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The era [or error] is close to an end, so do your best to enjoy the final moments, recall all the good times before misery and depression sets in.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That sequencing discipline — contracts and notaries first, token sale last — is what turns digital claims into enforceable assets.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Dividend growers also tend to be leaders in their subsectors, having demonstrated capital discipline in terms of reinvesting in their business and generating stockholder payouts, said Matt Quinlan, portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Beyond their asceticism, the six members of the group - Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung - hail from different countries, including the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Frayne writes that some second- and third-century sects, such as the Encratites, Priscilliantists, and Manicheans, advocated against meat eating, typically as part of a broader asceticism that might also include celibacy.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Two of the bribery charges and one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under the color of law were dismissed at the prosecution’s request over concerns about the victims’ health and welfare.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Sep. 2025
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Still, a few common themes emerge, including floating and sensory deprivation, and the healing that can arise from these types of experiences.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Cox also called for restraint in reaction to Kirk’s assassination, noting that residents of Utah did not riot or loot or engage in violence, and instead held vigils and said prayers.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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Despite efforts by the Biden administration to constrain the spyware market through its executive order, trade and visa restrictions, and sanctions, the industry has continued to operate largely without restraint.—
Vas Panagiotopoulos,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The severity of droughts, flooding, all of that will get worse.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The severity of a sprain depends on how much of a ligament is torn.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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