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
However, Barnier's austerity plan—which includes €40 billion ($42 billion) in spending cuts and €20 billion ($21 billion) in new taxes—has heightened tensions, fueling discord in the National Assembly and causing the political crisis.
—
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
In today’s newsletter, Jon Lee Anderson reports on the slash-and-burn austerity measures in Argentina that have earned admiration from Trump acolytes.
—Hannah Jocelyn, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024
But whether with the stern austerity of the Bene Gesserit base on Wallach IX or the cancerous grandeur that could potentially swallow up the Corrino family on Salusa Secundus, Meyer thought through how well, or how harshly, history would have treated them.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
As a result, international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank imposed economic reforms on debtor countries that caused major cuts to public spending and an array of austerity measures.
—Martín Abregú, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for austerity 
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Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
In today’s newsletter, Jon Lee Anderson reports on the slash-and-burn austerity measures in Argentina that have earned admiration from Trump acolytes.
—Hannah Jocelyn, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024
But whether with the stern austerity of the Bene Gesserit base on Wallach IX or the cancerous grandeur that could potentially swallow up the Corrino family on Salusa Secundus, Meyer thought through how well, or how harshly, history would have treated them.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
As a result, international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank imposed economic reforms on debtor countries that caused major cuts to public spending and an array of austerity measures.
—Martín Abregú, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 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 15 Dec. 2024.
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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