austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē How to pronounce austerity (audio)
-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 Oversight for these migrant support services is thin, and government funding – though never sizable nor consistent – has essentially disappeared under the austerity measures of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 Germany played an outsize role in EU decision-making during this period, as Merkel used the country’s economic weight to steer Brussels’s policies on austerity measures, data privacy, and migration. Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 Once again, Argentina’s policy makers have implemented austerity measures that have reduced or stopped social programs. Robert Ginsburg, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Like British director Loach, Morton has often criticized the ruling Conservative Party in the U.K. of hurting people and society with austerity measures. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2024 After years of wartime austerity and government imposed restrictions on the use of all materials used to make clothing, and the shortages of raw materials to make them, Carolle’s joyful, ultra feminine designs were the equivalent of a glass of cool water on the hottest summer day. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The images from the British leg are exhibited in small ‘‘austerity’’ walnut frames, to indicate Britain was still in throes of a postwar recession. Lucie Young, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 The austerity of the architecture, designed in the Bauhaus style with sharp lines and bursts of primary colors, provides an exciting juxtaposition to the natural grandeur of the property — the immense slopes of the Rockies and the slender towering reach of the Aspen trees. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2024 California continues to follow the prudent fiscally responsible behavior of U.S. presidents, of both parties, ensuring our children and grandchildren, that remain in the state, will be thanking us for our austerity (sarcasm noted). Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'austerity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see austere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of austerity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near austerity

Cite this Entry

“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

austerity

noun
aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē How to pronounce austerity (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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