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
Governments that pursue economic reforms designed in Washington DC, like the government of Kenyan President William Ruto in June 2024, simultaneously face thousands of protestors opposed to IMF austerity cuts.
—
Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Countries around the world, particularly in Asia, are feeling the fallout, with several resorting to austerity measures.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Minimalism without freedom is just austerity; there’s no use having the former without the latter.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Twenty-six states enacted new and stringent limits on long-standing public health authorities that were already hollowed out from years of budget austerity.
—David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
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.
Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Countries around the world, particularly in Asia, are feeling the fallout, with several resorting to austerity measures.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Minimalism without freedom is just austerity; there’s no use having the former without the latter.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Twenty-six states enacted new and stringent limits on long-standing public health authorities that were already hollowed out from years of budget austerity.
—David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
