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
That government had secured NATO membership for Hungary, made progress toward joining the European Union and eased the pain caused by harsh austerity measures imposed under its predecessors.
—
New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The elder Hullar led the university during a period of budget austerity, and some of his ideas met a wall of opposition.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The most recent Republican slashing of arts funding is only a dramatic example of an austerity process that’s been underway for decades.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
But his radical austerity program has been painful, with no economic revival in sight and Argentines are losing patience.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The elder Hullar led the university during a period of budget austerity, and some of his ideas met a wall of opposition.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The most recent Republican slashing of arts funding is only a dramatic example of an austerity process that’s been underway for decades.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
But his radical austerity program has been painful, with no economic revival in sight and Argentines are losing patience.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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After her best friend and heir-to-the-throne, Kyrian, replaces her as a sacrifice to the Devil, plain, plus-size and autistic Alesta is willing to go to Hell and back.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Back at Montecalvo, another fan-favorite character is making another sacrifice.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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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Springsteen grew up alongside rock’n’roll, absorbing its origin story and waiting for the day when his ability to write a killer riff would transport him from the misery of living with a father who didn’t understand him, shut off from a world that promised so much but gave so little.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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Whether the Monster is part of Ana’s imagination or not, the scene carries a fragile, haunting power, suggesting that the only person capable of rescuing Ana from the pervasive mystery and misery of her home life belongs to the supernatural, outside the punishing borders of Franco’s Spain.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The situation could result in potential discipline for the Ravens, ranging from fines or loss of draft picks to possible suspensions if the NFL determines a serious violation occurred.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
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Her take on ballet barre classes blend the discipline with Pilates and yoga principles, and is designed to develop a strong, muscular physique while strengthening the core with balance, grounding and breathing techniques.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 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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Despite these benefits, partners moving around in bed, snoring and having differing body temperatures can also cause sleep disruption and deprivation, Troxel noted.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mangan faces two counts each of deprivation of rights under color of law and false report.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.—
Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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To complement the architecture’s rigor, the current owners turned to designer André Mellone of Studio Mellone, known for his elegant restraint and understanding of proportion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yet, the severity of gendered crime during Partition wasn’t caused by an arbitrary upsurge of madness.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms such as hives and lip swelling to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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