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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of austere
Kyiv has repeatedly updated its austere winter power-saving schedule, dimming or cutting streetlights in low-traffic areas and investing in less centralized power generation.
—
Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
The themes here are classically Bourgeoisian—human interdependence and the difficulty of uncoupling—but the contrast of austere kineticism with raw emotion is unusual and enthralling.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
Amid the cold marble, dull plaster and dark wood that make up the austere halls of justice at the Porter County Courthouse, an oasis of calm and comfort now floats on the fifth floor in what is believed to be the first victim assistance suite of its kind in the state.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
From Demonstration To Deployment The system has operated unmanned, 24/7, with zero power outages—an achievement the company points to as proof of fuel-free operations in austere environments.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austere
Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
The themes here are classically Bourgeoisian—human interdependence and the difficulty of uncoupling—but the contrast of austere kineticism with raw emotion is unusual and enthralling.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
Amid the cold marble, dull plaster and dark wood that make up the austere halls of justice at the Porter County Courthouse, an oasis of calm and comfort now floats on the fifth floor in what is believed to be the first victim assistance suite of its kind in the state.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
From Demonstration To Deployment The system has operated unmanned, 24/7, with zero power outages—an achievement the company points to as proof of fuel-free operations in austere environments.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere
Adjective
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Freezer operations typically require specialized protective gear, shorter shifts, and strict exposure limits, all of which drive higher labor costs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yes, rooms are small, but the furniture and layout maximizes space in smart not spartan ways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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In one corner stood a spartan single bed, in the other a small woodstove.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The energy output is designed to remain stable down to –50 degrees Celsius, supporting reliable operation in some of the harshest climates on Earth, reports InsideEVs.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Rapinchuk recommends only using non-toxic products when cleaning your refrigerator and avoiding anything with harsh chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
County public health officials painted a grim picture of what life looks like for the poorest and sickest residents if new money doesn’t flow into the system.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Reddit boards hosting discussions of the case offer grim evidence of the concession.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Most importantly, Alvarado relishes in his role as a tough-nosed, point-of-attack defender, an area the Knicks have had trouble despite building a roster with notable defenders across all positions.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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With a durable and tough rubber sole featuring Vibram's TC5+ technology, each step offers the right amount of flex and resistance for a comfortable hiking experience.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That way, your ideas can land without sounding stern.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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Carro ended the hearing with a stern directive to defense lawyers, who repeatedly pushed back on the June 8 trial date.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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