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

\/\/ living an austere<\/em> life in the country<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'ascetic' a more appropriate choice than 'austere'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words ascetic<\/em><\/a> and austere<\/em> have much in common, ascetic<\/em> implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.<\/p>

\/\/ the ascetic<\/em> life of the monks<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'severe' instead of 'austere'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words severe<\/em><\/a> and austere<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, severe<\/em> implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.<\/p>

\/\/ severe<\/em> military discipline<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'stern' be used to replace 'austere'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of stern<\/em><\/a> and austere<\/em> largely overlap; however, stern<\/em> stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.<\/p>

\/\/ stern<\/em> arbiters of public morality<\/p>" } } ] }

austere

adjective

ȯ-ˈstir How to pronounce austere (audio)
Definition of austerenext
1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint an austere conductor who is as tough on himself as he is on the orchestra

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

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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 But last month, Duterte sat in an austere cell in The Hague as prosecutors argued that he should be tried for crimes against humanity. —Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 Housed in a minimal, austere space, Azumi’s refined technique and meticulous attention to craft create an intimate, zero-distraction dining experience. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026 The opening looks were austere by design. —ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026 After humanity’s extinction, a strange woman (Hilary Swank) upends the life of a teenager raised in an austere postapocalyptic bunker under the care of a maternal robot voiced by Rose Byrne. —Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for austere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere
  1. strict
  2. gruff
  3. spartan
  4. harsh
  5. grim
  6. simple
  7. tough
  8. stern
Adjective
  • Russia will build two VVER-1200 reactors, Rosatom’s most successful export model, which also complies with the strictest international requirements, at the site.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Most of the neighborhood bread kiosks that are still standing remain open, but there are strict limits on the amount individuals can purchase.
    — Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of strict
Adjective
  • As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
  • As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
  • His solution is to hide technology behind spartan interfaces.
    — Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of spartan
Adjective
  • Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Indeed, young women like Alyoshka’s bride may be looking at a grim future, in which their husbands, in accordance with tradition, have the right to ignore or even beat them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Can this industry get any more grim?
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • In Catanzaro Lido, a beach town along the Ionian coast, meals tend to be simple and communal.
    — Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • In her first interview since becoming head of content at Disney+ EMEA, Angela Jain has said the message to writers and producers is simple, the streamer is going to greenlight more originals from the region and will be backing that effort with extra funds for local fare.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.
    — Mike Kaye March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • The conversations came as a surprise given Rubio’s stern criticism of the Castro regime’s human rights abuses and the lack of freedom of expression inside the country.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Fitzpatrick finished at 11-under 273 on a Copperhead course that was a stern test, with the putting surfaces already having a yellow sheen during the opening round and the course getting firmer and faster each day under an abundance of sun.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of stern

Browse Nearby Words

auspiciously
austere
austerely
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Cite this Entry

“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of austere for Spanish Speakers

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