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
The oil shocks of the 1970s forced traumatic austerity on Americans.
—
Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
There has been an element of austerity, even astringency, in one major strain of the novel since the nineteenth century.
—Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
One effect of this austerity and repression is to focus attention on Albee’s language, with its slippery banalities and barbs.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Opaque budgets and an austerity mindset lead to distrust in government, perpetuating anti-tax sentiments.
—Celina Su, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
There has been an element of austerity, even astringency, in one major strain of the novel since the nineteenth century.
—Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
One effect of this austerity and repression is to focus attention on Albee’s language, with its slippery banalities and barbs.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Opaque budgets and an austerity mindset lead to distrust in government, perpetuating anti-tax sentiments.
—Celina Su, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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Others say the spirit of sacrifice that Kimbangu embodied should be emulated by Congo’s leaders.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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So the couple made a major sacrifice.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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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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
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But putting all that effort toward something that’s not real weighs on him, and Isaac’s taut encapsulation of misery compliments a series that feeds on tension.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The fellows dealt with disciplines ranging from social work, nursing and public health, geography, architecture, performance studies, and art.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Mule discipline, which has been drawing particular attention, involves robotic systems transporting equipment and supplies.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 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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Police College made sure to warn new recruits of the perils connected to sleep deprivation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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Dyer notes that Cox may well have been confused by the mental and physical trauma of the sinking and the deprivations of five days adrift.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The department is currently investigating more than two dozen facilities and says, while most providers recognize the need for regulation, some don't think the laws around restraint and seclusion should apply to them.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The volunteer, named Jacki and played with warm restraint by Tessa Thompson, has been slowly developing a friendship with Yarris, a mercurial but undeniably charismatic character played by Adrien Brody, your go-to actor for any slight man with a loping, unsteady energy.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the flight crew allegedly requested an onboard doctor, a physician-passenger advised that due to the severity of the burns and their proximity to her genitals, AC should be transported to an urgent care facility as soon as possible, the complaint says.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Authorities say the fire caused losses far exceeding $10 million, a key threshold that elevates the severity of the charge, while federal officials estimate total damage at roughly $500 million.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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