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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Even before the asylum opened, federal officials, officers, and private citizens with whom the government contracted attempted to create a facility that materially comforted veteran residents, while also maintaining austerity with public funds.
—
Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
That’s how transit used to work in Chicago too, before austerity dwindled capacity to a focus on commuters.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
But the value of these grants has plummeted since 2010, when the former Conservative government embarked on a decade of austerity designed to shrink the country’s debts following the financial crisis.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Critics will cry that this is austerity in disguise.
—Zac Townsend, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
That’s how transit used to work in Chicago too, before austerity dwindled capacity to a focus on commuters.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
But the value of these grants has plummeted since 2010, when the former Conservative government embarked on a decade of austerity designed to shrink the country’s debts following the financial crisis.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Critics will cry that this is austerity in disguise.
—Zac Townsend, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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In The Death of Klinghoffer, the title character mildly accepts the mantle of sacrifice against a backdrop of endless violence.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
-
The memories of our hero’s sacrifice are forgotten no more.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The Best Clothing Box Photograph: Stitch Fix Stitch Fix Kids Clothes Box $16 Stitch Fix As my kids have gotten older, shopping for their clothes has become a misery.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
17 May 2025
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The value of the Syrian currency plummeted during the civil war years, adding to the misery.—
Raja Abdulrahim,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Moody’s Ratings recently downgraded the U.S.’s AAA rating, citing doubts about the country’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2025
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Controversially, the plan also included converting campus libraries into student discipline spaces.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Departments & Columns The Week The Week NR Editors Tariffs will either inaugurate a new era of asceticism or opulence.—
Daniel Foster,
National Review,
15 May 2025
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Upon his election, Bergoglio took the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known for his asceticism and ministry to the poor.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Doughty was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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Earlier this year, a jury found Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Kirk guilty of felony deprivation of rights by use of excessive force.—
Mike Fox,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Director Maja Novakovic strikes a balance between restraint and gentle nudging, allowing the story to breathe while occasionally adding subtle touches to coax it forward.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Drug companies in the U.S. face few restraints on what to charge for their products.—
David Armstrong,
ProPublica,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Class 2 obesity: This ranges from 35-39.9, with a moderate risk of severity.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
15 May 2025
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Recalls are typically classified by severity, and while not all involve immediate danger, they are carried out as a precaution to protect public health.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The bankruptcy plan was approved within 24 hours, cutting its debt load by about $450 million, the Observer previously reported.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2025
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There are cigars to be smoked, a headline-making bankruptcy and more tours.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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