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
Kenney’s petition, which has nearly 4,000 signatures, urged the CSU not to spend money renewing the contract with OpenAI when several campuses like San Francisco State and Sonoma State had recently enacted austerity measures.
—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
The state should not respond with austerity that drives more educators out.
—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Paz’s termination of a popular but fiscally unsustainable fuel subsidy and other austerity measures triggered strikes earlier this month, which escalated into a coordinated effort from the Bolivian Workers’ Central, peasant unions, and miners to paralyze the country.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
The government succeeded in reversing the fiscal deficit and achieving a budget surplus — a rare result in Argentina’s recent history — but the social cost of the austerity measures has drawn criticism.
—
Clara Preve,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
The state should not respond with austerity that drives more educators out.
—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Paz’s termination of a popular but fiscally unsustainable fuel subsidy and other austerity measures triggered strikes earlier this month, which escalated into a coordinated effort from the Bolivian Workers’ Central, peasant unions, and miners to paralyze the country.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
The government succeeded in reversing the fiscal deficit and achieving a budget surplus — a rare result in Argentina’s recent history — but the social cost of the austerity measures has drawn criticism.
—
Clara Preve,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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Organizers said the event also served as a chance to honor the ancestors and generations whose sacrifices made today's freedoms possible.
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Juneteenth reminds us that freedom in America has often arrived late, unevenly and only after pressure, sacrifice and enforcement.
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.
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But then Popper smiled and the arrival of opening day momentarily mellowed his gruffness.
Noun
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The episodes seemed to wallow in Carmy’s misery, along with the frustrations of everyone around him.
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That’s a recipe for in-flight misery.
Noun
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The conversation was no longer focused on accessibility as a discipline.
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These are professionals who have spent years working alongside some of the best filmmakers in the world and who bring an extraordinary level of expertise, discipline and problem solving to every production.
Noun
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Just books and plays, and an asceticism associated with the priests Jim would often play.
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Following several years of contemplation and asceticism, Dorje hopes to return to the United States to teach in Minnesota's Buddhist community at the Nyingmapa Taksham Buddhist Center.
Noun
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Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and impaired immune function.
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Sleep deprivation, subpar nutritional habits, chronic unmitigated stress, and poor fitness lead to subpar cognitive and emotional regulation.
Noun
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Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
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Martin's family believes that the long paramedic response time, as well as restraint asphyxia caused by Oakland police officers, caused Martin's death.
Noun
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In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
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Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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