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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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The intrigue: Willingness to make sacrifices for a win seems tied to past success.—
Christine Clarridge,
Axios,
7 Feb. 2025
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Part of that love is to offer prayers and sacrifices for him.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Isn’t a life without mountains of money better than a life monopolized by misery?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
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The act led to retaliatory tariffs by other countries and is widely seen as exacerbating the economic misery of the Depression.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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If not, consider how incorporating the discipline of stillness into your life could be of benefit to you.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
State complaints, discipline and Brazilian butt lift injury or death present nothing new for New Life Plastic Surgery, 8400 SW Eighth St., which lists Morales among its surgeons.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 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
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Louise tells tales of drunkenness, asceticism, death.—
Hervé Guibert,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Miguel Hidalgo, 34, was charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law in connection with the assault at FCC Coleman in Sumter County in August 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said in a Jan. 30 news release.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
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Research shows that even a single night of sleep deprivation can increase hunger-promoting hormones and the desire for highly palatable foods, like sweets.13 Experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night for optimal health.14 5.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Changes in legislation last year outlawed the use of face down prone restraints on students and resulted in several police departments to suspend its school officer agreements and remove officers from campuses.—
Jacqueline Devine,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Family buyers should keep in mind that while both seat seven or eight, middle seats don’t have head rest or restraints and are better for shorter passengers, whose heads don’t rise above the seat back.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Incidents are included here based on severity, impact on public safety or other factors.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Depending on the type and severity, symptoms might include dry, flaky skin that itches, cracks, appears red, or forms blisters.—
Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed,
Health,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The casinos brought in a lot of money, though not enough to cover Trump’s debt expenses, leading to bankruptcies in the early 1990s.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
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That venture ended in bankruptcy, according to a 2017 interview McMahon gave to CNBC.—
Jonaki Mehta,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austerity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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