1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
an austere conductor who is as tough on himself as he is on the orchestra
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
for the private office of the CEO of the large corporation, the room is unexpectedly austere
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of austere
Property tax rates are flat in the budget, which now includes far fewer cuts than the more austere spending plan Levine Cava first proposed in July.
—
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
The flavor of French Syrahs is more austere and peppery than that of Australian Syrahs, which are more powerful and alcoholic.
—Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
From friendly therapy dogs at IGA Istanbul Airport to meditation spaces and sensory rooms inspired by water at Newark’s renovated Terminal A, flora and fauna have made their way into the once-austere atmosphere.
—Cemile Kavountzis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
The moment, captured in the new film East of Wall, is one of many vivid scenes showcasing the mother and daughter’s connection with their horses — and each other — outside of South Dakota's austere, but beautiful Badlands National Park.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austere
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
The flavor of French Syrahs is more austere and peppery than that of Australian Syrahs, which are more powerful and alcoholic.
—Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
From friendly therapy dogs at IGA Istanbul Airport to meditation spaces and sensory rooms inspired by water at Newark’s renovated Terminal A, flora and fauna have made their way into the once-austere atmosphere.
—Cemile Kavountzis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
The moment, captured in the new film East of Wall, is one of many vivid scenes showcasing the mother and daughter’s connection with their horses — and each other — outside of South Dakota's austere, but beautiful Badlands National Park.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for austere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere
Adjective
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Sulfide electrolytes fall apart when exposed to humidity, demanding strict atmospheric controls during manufacturing.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
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Another 22% want innovation with strict risk controls.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
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The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Long Walk uses the rawness of its spartan premise to venture deep into uncomfortable territory, culminating in an ending that blurs the lines between perseverance and defeat, hope and nihilism.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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But this new 86-footer, stripped of its predecessors’ bling, is more of a spartan, minimalist explorer, with transatlantic potential.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The facial expressions match the show’s grim color palette.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Now they are being called on by their leader to adapt to a grim reality of military might.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Their simple plan goes awry when one of their relatives wants a posh Korean wedding banquet in the heartfelt romantic comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The inspiration The Copleys wanted a low-water garden that would be simple to care for.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From one side, draped in a dark-blue robe and flanked by an entourage in matching work shirts, Joe Frazier walked slowly through the crowd, stern and granite-jawed.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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Not even the most stern calls to sit down could keep the crowds away, as production staff tried to pave a path for fellow front row faces like rapper Glorilla, Charles Melton, Celtics player Jayson Tatum — who was sidelined late last season with an injury — Elle Fanning, and more.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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