austerity

American  

[aw-ster-i-tee] / ɔˈstɛr ɪ ti /

noun

austerities plural

1. austere quality; severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness.

   Synonyms:

   rigor, asceticism, strictness, harshness

   Antonyms:

   leniency

2. Usually austerities. ascetic practices.

   austerities of monastery life.

3. harsh economic policies, as increased taxes or decreased funding for social services, usually adopted in response to government debt or deficits (often used attributively): The legislature tried to reduce the budget deficit with austerity measures that raised the retirement age and cut pension benefits.

   Economic growth slowed under austerity.

   The legislature tried to reduce the budget deficit with austerity measures that raised the retirement age and cut pension benefits.

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austerity British  

/ ɒˈstɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being austere

2. (often plural) an austere habit, practice, or act

3. 1. reduced availability of luxuries and consumer goods, esp when brought about by government policy

   2. ( as modifier )

      an austerity budget

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Usage

What does austerity mean? Austerity means sternness, severity, or a state of extreme self-discipline or minimalistic living. Austerity is the noun form of the adjective austere, which most commonly means extremely stern or strict or without any frills or luxuries. The word is often used in the context of a national economy in which services and access to certain goods have been scaled back by the government during times of economic crisis. This sense is especially seen in the phrase austerity measures.  The term is sometimes used in its plural form to refer to ascetic practices, like living in a monastery—think of a monk who lives in a bedroom with only a metal cot and eats plain rice every day. Example: The government has turned to austerity to help curb the rising debt.

Synonym Usage

See hardship.

Etymology

Origin of austerity

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English austerite , from Anglo-French, Old French austerite , from Latin austēritās; see austere, -ity

Explanation

If you've ever had a teacher who was particularly stern and strict, you might have (quietly) remarked on his austerity. When you're talking about the character of a person, austerity means "sternness and severity." Austerity's original meaning, taken from the Greek word austeros, was "bitter or harsh taste." While it's rarely used that way anymore, it's still a great description of the word's current meanings. As well as describing a personal quality of sternness, it also means "a simple, plain manner" and "an extreme frugality." So you could talk about the austerity of a very plainly decorated room or the austerity you're forced to live with ever since your parents stopped giving you a weekly allowance. If your lack of money had a taste, it might very well be "bitter or harsh."

Example Sentences

The government has started austerity programs to reduce energy use and rushed out subsidies to cushion the impact, straining its fiscal health.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

The austerity measures, cutting both square footage and head count, are helping.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Indian Prime Minister Modi declared a “Covid-type” emergency on May 10, implementing an austerity plan to conserve fuel and gold.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

“The city would be forced to implement austerity measures far worse than seen during the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

“For those of us who take our vow of austerity seriously, conclave is the only time we allow ourselves the luxury of fine food and drink. It reminds us that we’re human.”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• prudence
• self-discipline