austerity

[aw-ster-i-tee]

noun

plural

austerities 

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.

austerity

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of austerity¹

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

Synonym Study

See hardship.

Example Sentences

All these changes will occur well after the 2026 midterm elections, in an evident attempt to delay the real-world effects of this austerity agenda and potentially protect the narrow majority Republicans now hold in Congress.

From Salon

But the austerity measures that helped the libertarian president lower the deficit and drive down inflation have also triggered protests, with pensioners holding weekly rallies outside Congress.

From BBC

These major exemptions, which stand to dampen the effects of the GOP austerity measures for Alaskans, come in addition to numerous other provisions specifically targeted at Murkowski’s home state.

From Salon

His movie became the forerunner of “Silicon Valley,” which captured the tech industry’s evolution away from cubicle austerity into open floor plans, beanbag furniture and the idea of work becoming a second home.

From Salon

Since leaving public office he has been campaigning against poverty and he now says his charity is helping a younger generation which he describes as "austerity's children".

From BBC

Related Words

• prudence 
• self-discipline 

When To Use

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.