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
Dyer writes that his father’s nature expressed itself mostly in caution, diligence, a kind of austerity.
—
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Dyer’s father was traumatized by the austerity of growing up in England between two military cataclysms, and his daily satisfaction is bound in his ability to pinch pences.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Across the industry, risk aversion and austerity rule the day.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Now 28 years old, Dickinson joins an emerging generation of British filmmakers who came of age against the U.K. government’s punishing austerity program of the 2010s onward, with its accompanying reduction in welfare and social services, and aren’t inclined toward a forgiving view.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Dyer’s father was traumatized by the austerity of growing up in England between two military cataclysms, and his daily satisfaction is bound in his ability to pinch pences.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Across the industry, risk aversion and austerity rule the day.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Now 28 years old, Dickinson joins an emerging generation of British filmmakers who came of age against the U.K. government’s punishing austerity program of the 2010s onward, with its accompanying reduction in welfare and social services, and aren’t inclined toward a forgiving view.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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Advertisement Vikram’s role as the final sacrifice Vikram Singh, a local police officer and Rea’s close ally, becomes the cult’s ultimate target.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
25 July 2025
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Looking Forward—Innovation Without Sacrifice The notion that innovation inevitably comes with sacrifices is outdated.—
Vincent Ledoux Pedailles,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Their relative misery even exceeds that of the Afghans and Iraqis.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
Noun
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CIOs and CTOs bring structure, governance and enterprise-scale discipline to AI adoption.—
Sumit Johar,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The new facility provides visitors with a window on the national collection of objects from creative disciplines from fashion to theater and streetwear and sculpture.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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That kind of asceticism seemed neither fun nor sustainable.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 June 2025
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Role models for digital moderation, much less asceticism, are in short supply.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
11 May 2025
Noun
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This leads on to another societal challenge—addressing the issue of technological inequality and deprivation.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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Five months later, federal prosecutors filed two federal charges of deprivation of civil rights against Hankison, but his initial case ended in a mistrial in 2023.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 July 2025
Noun
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In the second photo, the animals are freed of their restraints — one of the pets is crawling about the bin while the other stays in its shell.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
24 July 2025
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Fuentes faces charges of home invasion, disorderly conduct, interfering with an emergency call, violation of protective order, third-degree assault and second-degree unlawful restraint.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
23 July 2025
Noun
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While relapse of multiple myeloma is regarded as inevitable, the timing and severity vary widely.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
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But in the meantime, relatives could only guess the severity of the injury by observing the facial expressions of Nuggets personnel.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The documentary was completed prior to Joel’s recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, but there are candid assessments of other struggles he’s endured, including depression, bankruptcy and alcoholism.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Since emerging from bankruptcy, the company has overhauled its menu—streamlining offerings by 20% while adding new items like Lobster Pappardelle Pasta, Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops, and revitalizing favorites including hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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