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as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious for the private office of the CEO of the large corporation, the room is unexpectedly austere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective austere contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of austere are ascetic, severe, and stern. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

When is ascetic a more appropriate choice than austere?

Although the words ascetic and austere have much in common, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When is it sensible to use severe instead of austere?

In some situations, the words severe and austere are roughly equivalent. However, severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

When could stern be used to replace austere?

The meanings of stern and austere largely overlap; however, stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of austere Franco is the heir apparent to the Michael Haneke world of unsettled, austere psychological pain against geopolitical backdrops onscreen, and Chastain is more game than ever to play along with his hopeless world. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025 This includes an unexpected romance between Da-Eun and rival Chozen after a crazy night in Barcelona, unlocking a softer and more feminine side to the austere Da-Eun. Laura Sirikul, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025 Bryant Wehmeyer, from the farming town of Jamaica, Iowa, described his childhood as austere and unforgiving. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 The structure is neat and austere; the emotion is not. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for austere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere
Adjective
  • The Parisian bob, however, is a looser, less strict rendition, with a longer length and a wispier take on bangs—or without them entirely.
    Elle Turner, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2025
  • While seafood imports must meet strict federal safety regulations, this catfish recall underscores the challenges of monitoring international food supply chains.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.
    Susan Montoya Bryan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Ford’s actually relatively locked-in as the gruff but supportive Colonel Graff training the impressionable Ender (Asa Butterfield), who has to save the universe as all lads in these types of films tend to do.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Nestled within denser parts of the clouds, the water would have been protected from being destroyed by harsh radiation from nearby stars, Latif said.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Smith isn’t alone in that sentiment, as other analysts and critics have shared his harsh review of Bronny’s performance in the NBA.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The result is that every year, the Palestinian reality gets grimmer.
    Noa Tishby, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes emphasized that the Egyptian proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction does not reflect the grim realities on the ground.
    Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This fund is the simplest way to play the inevitable rise in lithium prices.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Prioritizing fitness amid a busy travel schedule, the former Radio City Rockette and The Talk host says her outlook is simple.
    Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The New York Fed survey of consumer expectations showed respondents believe tougher economic conditions are ahead.
    Courtenay Brown, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Schneider wants to take calculated risks in free agency, but that can be tough to do when Seattle is one of many teams needing interior offensive upgrades.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lilian laughed, but Dr. Fenton remained stern, only nodding at Lilian’s understanding.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Waves of anti-Tesla and Elon Musk protests ripple throughout Bay Area Related Articles With few options, Bay Area Democrats in Congress oppose Trump with stern letters, town halls and protest California’s first zero-emission car mandates are coming.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The sky was a pretty pink and purple, a stark contrast to the death chamber's florescent lights, gray firing squad chair and block walls that reminded me of a 1970s doctor's office.
    Jeffrey Collins, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • In the gallery, the small photos hang in stark black frames, tracing resistance to oppression, discrimination and inequality over 100 years.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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