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
What these projects have in common is a starchy austerity, the sense that being in the presence of the dead is serious business.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent budget cuts at the National Institutes of Health and the political wave toward austerity in using public monies for research make Welsh nervous.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The oil shocks of the 1970s forced traumatic austerity on Americans.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent budget cuts at the National Institutes of Health and the political wave toward austerity in using public monies for research make Welsh nervous.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The oil shocks of the 1970s forced traumatic austerity on Americans.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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Up until now, the convenience of a UST projector meant having to make some image quality sacrifices.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
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With a heavy emphasis on what works psychologically, seminars, books and college classes are trying to change how people approach climate change, by talking more about community and happiness than sacrifice.—
Seth Borenstein,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But then Popper smiled and the arrival of opening day momentarily mellowed his gruffness.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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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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Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
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The show is a propulsive hurricane of misery and cringe, from the violent incident that sets off this series of unfortunate events to the twists and horrors that unfold.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What excites us most is that both have the kind of discipline, presence and emotional intelligence that is already translating seamlessly into film and television.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Artists frequently share spaces and collaborate across disciplines, creating a network that supports creative growth.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
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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Diets and food deprivation did not.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
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Police College made sure to warn new recruits of the perils connected to sleep deprivation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Following the investigation, more than 50 sheriffs in Missouri and Kansas updated their restraint policies, and the National Institute for Jail Operations recommended the content for national training, signaling a push for reform in how restraint systems are managed in correctional facilities.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Colorado is among several states to prohibit or severely limit the use of chokeholds and neck restraints by police officers.—
Morgan Lee,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bruce Lehr, Lunger's attorney, disputed the severity of the charges.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Why High-Speed Rural Corridors Increase California Crash Severity Beyond urban centers, crash severity often increases in rural corridors where higher speeds are more common.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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