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
Even simpler was the milky white porcelain that eventually became the primary production of the Joseon’s official kilns, its austerity felt to be more in keeping with the virtues of Confucianism.
—
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
And in time, anti-tax ideology might threaten the country’s solvency and end up necessitating austerity budgets.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Romania will rely on a minority government to push through reforms needed to secure billions of euros in European Union funds after the largest party in the coalition quit in a dispute over unpopular austerity measures.
—Andra Timu, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
And in time, anti-tax ideology might threaten the country’s solvency and end up necessitating austerity budgets.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Romania will rely on a minority government to push through reforms needed to secure billions of euros in European Union funds after the largest party in the coalition quit in a dispute over unpopular austerity measures.
—Andra Timu, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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Torres laid down a perfect sacrifice dribbler, job done.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
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Through skill, sacrifice and professionalism, our first responders have narrowly avoided major disasters, including the recent high-rise fire in Towson that could have ended far worse without rapid response and coordination on scene.—
Nick Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 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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Riley has spent the majority of the past two decades attempting to distance himself from his book-selling mantra of championship or misery.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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The misery wrought by insurgents in largely ungoverned spaces will push people to flee.—
Ulf Laessing,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The local school board would decide whether cell phones could be used during after-school activities, and the districts would set their own policies on issues such as discipline for violating the policy, lawmakers said.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Both focus on human achievement, discipline and expression.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Within pashmina throws and Ladakh yak-wool woven rugs, sold in the shop, soften the near-monastic asceticism of the décor and effects of the crepuscular lighting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Loyal’s drug is designed to trigger some of the same effects, without a dog having to face any of the deprivations experienced by GLP-1 users or the Labradors in the Purina study.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
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Preclinical research shows long-term estrogen deprivation epigenetically silences BDNF in the hippocampus, blunting the brain’s response to exercise over time.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The deputies had differing opinions on whether Adair had become compliant during the restraint.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
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On their third album, Cost of Living Adjustment, Cola have embraced, if not maximalism, then at least letting go of restraint.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Last July, Wolfson found Barahona competent, ruling that Barahona was capable of aiding his defense attorneys and understands the severity of the penalties should he be found guilty.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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After suffering a left hamstring injury earlier this season, Doncic said the latest Grade 2 strain to the same area is unlike any he’s experienced because of its severity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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