1
as in sacrifice
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
They moved off the grid to live a life of austerity.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
His family spent years living in austerity during the recession.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of austerity
Many of these have already been stretched by years of austerity following the global financial crisis, from which the U.K. emerged with a deficit-to-GDP ratio of 10%.
—
Ian King, CNBC, 11 June 2025
David Kaplan approached Etude 15 with austerity, shaping its surging waves of sound with earnest precision, and embraced the shifting patterns of Etude 16’s off-kilter 7/8 meter with poise and control.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
But maybe Musk is onto something — maybe fiscal austerity could be enough.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
It’s drawn a line under the years when French government debt was considered a good, high-quality alternative to German debt, the region’s haven asset due to Berlin’s historic fiscal austerity.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Ian King, CNBC, 11 June 2025
David Kaplan approached Etude 15 with austerity, shaping its surging waves of sound with earnest precision, and embraced the shifting patterns of Etude 16’s off-kilter 7/8 meter with poise and control.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
But maybe Musk is onto something — maybe fiscal austerity could be enough.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
It’s drawn a line under the years when French government debt was considered a good, high-quality alternative to German debt, the region’s haven asset due to Berlin’s historic fiscal austerity.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
-
In Today Was Fun, Groff dismantles the myth that professionalism requires stoicism and sacrifice.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
His dedicated service, leadership and sacrifice exemplify the highest ideals of the police department, and deserve lasting recognition, the city’s report said.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Nothing was achieved except more misery for the region at the hands of Hamas and its allies.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The question of whether there is hunger is different from the question of who is responsible for the misery.—
Seth Mandel,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Kobe Bryant’s greatness was the product of preparation, discipline, and the right mindset.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Senate Bill 37 requires public colleges and universities to abolish their faculty associations as currently structured and gives the chancellors and trustees more power over faculty discipline, hiring and curriculum.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That kind of asceticism seemed neither fun nor sustainable.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 June 2025
-
Role models for digital moderation, much less asceticism, are in short supply.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
With the Depression as a backdrop and the coming storm that will be World War II casting shadows, the events and intrigue, deprivation and death on the island provide shocks and surprises on every page.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Israel's military campaign to eliminate Hamas and bring home Israeli hostages, launched after the group's deadly October 2023 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza, leaving the enclave grappling with severe hunger and widespread deprivation.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
Moderates favor easing tensions with Western and regional powers, while hard-liners insist any agreement include concrete guarantees of mutual restraint.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Those loud, colorful prints align with hip-hop’s aversion to restraint, to sameness even.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While there are no over-the-counter medications to treat coccidioidomycosis, ODH notes that healthcare professionals may prescribe antifungal medication to help reduce the severity of symptoms or prevent the infection from getting worse.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Depending on the location and severity of the wildfire, smaller events such as sports games could be moved to another field or rescheduled for a future date, Wolski said.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
-
So the timeline would be as follows: GM: until 2019, vehicle manufacturing Lordstown Motors: 2019-2022 Foxconn/Hon Hai: 2022-current Reports also show that Foxconn had intended to manufacture the Fisker Pear there prior to Fisker’s bankruptcy.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share