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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of austerity
Both the left and far-right are violently opposed to most tax hikes and austerity measures.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for austerity 
Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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One needn’t bluntly insert these facts, but there are times when Zimmerman’s screenplay, aiming for a kind of universality, sacrifices potential depth.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
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Some even compared the water to human sacrifice, which created a bit of an eerie vibe.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This is especially harmful to disabled people who are told by others — mostly medical professionals — that their condition constitutes a life sentence of misery.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
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Hamas committed horrific atrocities in October 2023 that didn’t empower Palestinians but left them in misery.—
Nicholas Kristof,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mitrofanov and Efimova had just won the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, in the pairs discipline.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Intel showed some cost discipline and improved cash flow in its quarterly results.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The bout of asceticism didn’t deter her from finishing a quarter of the album, however.—
Arimeta Diop,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Louise tells tales of drunkenness, asceticism, death.—
Hervé Guibert,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The relationship between dieting and food cravings is complicated, but some studies show that food deprivation increases cravings.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
27 Jan. 2025
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Another 2021 study found that sleep deprivation increased levels of cortisol during interpersonal conflict.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Department of Education has said in its restraint and seclusion resource document there is no evidence restraint and seclusion reduce problem behaviors.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Jan. 2025
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The tether, or rope, is a restraint tool, according to the report.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Autism is a spectrum, Alpert noted, which means symptoms can vary significantly in type and severity.—
Melissa Rudy,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
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But not every director of Tarantino's pedigree agrees with his diagnosis of the industry's ills or, at least, his sense of its severity.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Sometimes, this debt can lead to draining retirement savings and even personal bankruptcy.—
Next Avenue,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2025
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His prior experience includes financial restructuring at Northwest Airlines during its bankruptcy proceedings.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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