austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē 
-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
Just like the Great Depression ushered in decades of frugality and austerity — with an entire generation reusing plastic bags, jam jars and aluminum foil — there are signs the coronavirus crisis has had the opposite effect: nudging Americans toward spending more, especially on experiences.
—
Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Like the choice of the word itself, austerity was politically calculated.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The Socialist and the mainstream conservative Social Democratic party in recent decades have presided over a painful financial crisis and tough austerity period.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And a constant marinade for our work is chronic conditions—so things like social care collapsing, or very poor financial situations, austerity—and also, obviously, conflict.
—Rob Reddick, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024
The Conservatives have been in power nationally since 2010, years that saw austerity after the world banking crisis, Britain's divisive decision to leave the European Union, a global pandemic and a European war that triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024
Now, without a deal, Aurinia is instituting austerity.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024
In my view, this was a non-government and what’s ironic about this is that austerity and unfettered markets are two pillars of Lopez Obrador’s favorite enemy: neoliberalism.
—Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
In 2015, amid one of the worst financial crises in Greece’s history, he was appointed by the country’s new left-wing government to try to save the financial system and to fend off punishing austerity measures that the country’s creditors had proposed in exchange for a bailout.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Like the choice of the word itself, austerity was politically calculated.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The Socialist and the mainstream conservative Social Democratic party in recent decades have presided over a painful financial crisis and tough austerity period.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
And a constant marinade for our work is chronic conditions—so things like social care collapsing, or very poor financial situations, austerity—and also, obviously, conflict.
—Rob Reddick, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024
The Conservatives have been in power nationally since 2010, years that saw austerity after the world banking crisis, Britain's divisive decision to leave the European Union, a global pandemic and a European war that triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024
Now, without a deal, Aurinia is instituting austerity.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024
In my view, this was a non-government and what’s ironic about this is that austerity and unfettered markets are two pillars of Lopez Obrador’s favorite enemy: neoliberalism.
—Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
In 2015, amid one of the worst financial crises in Greece’s history, he was appointed by the country’s new left-wing government to try to save the financial system and to fend off punishing austerity measures that the country’s creditors had proposed in exchange for a bailout.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 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
Phrases Containing austerity
Dictionary Entries Near austerity
Cite this Entry
“Austerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/austerity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
austerity
noun
aus·ter·i·ty
ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē
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
More from Merriam-Webster on austerity
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for austerity
Nglish: Translation of austerity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of austerity for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share