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
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Recent Examples of austerity
The austerity gives her plenty of room to writhe, mug, and moan between occasional shots of an inflatable Martian and a tropical-looking Tiffany lamp.
—
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In an era of austerity when rich studio deals are harder to come by, Sony Pictures is betting big on Chris Bremner, as the studio has signed him to a writing and producing deal on the lot under his new company, Unknown Quantity.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
The original Levine Cava budget proposal had austerity measures, including layoffs, fee hikes and service cuts.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In an era of austerity when rich studio deals are harder to come by, Sony Pictures is betting big on Chris Bremner, as the studio has signed him to a writing and producing deal on the lot under his new company, Unknown Quantity.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
The original Levine Cava budget proposal had austerity measures, including layoffs, fee hikes and service cuts.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for austerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austerity
Noun
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No one needs to hold power, and no one needs to shoulder all the sacrifice.—
Jelena Kecmanovic,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Still, Marvin Alexander said the impact their music has on listeners makes the sacrifices worthwhile.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mackay and Turner are both excellent, two movie stars who seem totally game to be asked to move with real gruffness.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Embracing misery is one kind of defiance; demanding to be heard is another.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
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This year, more than usual, a group of Florida lawmakers are clinging to a Biblical-sounding principle — and doing their best to ensure that the wages of sin are, at the very least, misery.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As the discipline grew in popularity, Warren’s students began to take home trophies from tournaments across the country and internationally.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Winter Olympics are in full swing in Italy, and athletes from 93 countries are competing in 16 disciplines across eight sports.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Beyond their asceticism, the six members of the group - Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung - hail from different countries, including the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Frayne writes that some second- and third-century sects, such as the Encratites, Priscilliantists, and Manicheans, advocated against meat eating, typically as part of a broader asceticism that might also include celibacy.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Evans said investigators were examining whether election improprieties in Fulton County amounted to violations of federal statutes governing the preservation of election records and the knowing deprivation of a fair election.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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What is clear, though, is deaf children are far more likely than hearing children to experience language deprivation.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Maryland’s budget process is designed to promote transparency and fiscal restraint.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
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The verdict signals that prolonged prone restraint during mental health crises is dangerous, potentially changing how juvenile detention centers handle distressed teens.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Depending on the severity, menopause symptoms can affect a woman’s quality of life.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
11 Feb. 2026
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The severity of the weather was aggravated by heat in Chicago, where highs were reaching over 90 degrees.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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