austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē 
-ˈste-rə-,
also -ˈstir-ə-
plural austerities
1
: the quality or state of being austere: such as
a
: a stern and serious quality
the formal austerity of his manner
b
: a plain and simple quality
the austerity of the design
2
: enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale
lived through years of austerity after the war
fiscal austerity
a series of austerity measures [=measures taken to reduce spending]
3
a
: an austere act, manner, or attitude
monastic self-denial and austerities
b
: an ascetic (see ascetic sense 1) practice
Examples of austerity in a Sentence
the austerity of the design
The austerity of their lifestyle was surprising.
They lived through years of austerity after the war.
the austerities practiced by monks
Recent Examples on the Web
Finances improved, inflation was partly tamed, but Simitis was pushed to resign in 1987 when Papandreou, eyeing an upcoming election, announced a generous wages policy, undermining the goals of the austerity program.
—
Demetris Nellas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Both opposition blocs, typically at odds, are uniting against Mr. Barnier, accusing him of imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens’ needs.
—Tom Nouvian and Sylvie Corbet, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024
The festival had a Christian tie-in, as a burst of hedonism before the austerity of Lent.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Resultant bailout programs sparked years of austerity and financial woe for the country, with the economy contracting by as much as a quarter over the ensuing decade.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for austerity 
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Demetris Nellas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Both opposition blocs, typically at odds, are uniting against Mr. Barnier, accusing him of imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens’ needs.
—Tom Nouvian and Sylvie Corbet, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024
The festival had a Christian tie-in, as a burst of hedonism before the austerity of Lent.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Resultant bailout programs sparked years of austerity and financial woe for the country, with the economy contracting by as much as a quarter over the ensuing decade.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for austerity
Dictionary Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē
plural austerities
1
: the quality or state of being austere
2
: an austere act, manner, or attitude
3
: a way of living with few or no luxuries
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