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
Was this an austerity measure (less fabric) (but also, more fabric, due to the lack of nudity)?
—
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 24 May 2025
Significant austerity measures aren’t an option because it doesn’t get elected in D.C.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 22 May 2025
True, there will be austerity measures to fend off the Emoluments Police and their pesky Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Instead of treating cuts as unavoidable, New York lawmakers should be developing plans to protect working-class New Yorkers from federal austerity and economic turmoil.
—Nathan Gusdorf, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
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Rachel Handler, Vulture, 24 May 2025
Significant austerity measures aren’t an option because it doesn’t get elected in D.C.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 22 May 2025
True, there will be austerity measures to fend off the Emoluments Police and their pesky Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Instead of treating cuts as unavoidable, New York lawmakers should be developing plans to protect working-class New Yorkers from federal austerity and economic turmoil.
—Nathan Gusdorf, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 5 Jun. 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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