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   aus·ter·i·ty

   /ôˈsterədē/

   noun

   • 1. sternness or severity of manner or attitude: "he was noted for his austerity and his authoritarianism" Similar sternnessausterenessseveritystrictnessgrimnessseriousnesssombernessgravenessgravitysobernessstiffnessdournessflintinessstoninesssteelinessOpposite cheerfulness
   • ▪ extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance: "the room was decorated with a restraint bordering on austerity" Similar plainnesslack/absence of adornmentlack/absence of decorationlack/absence of ornament/ornamentationlack/absence of embellishmentunpretentiousnessstarknessausterenesssparenessseverityunpretentiousnessclassic linesclean lineslack/absence of clutterrestraintpurityOpposite ornateness
   • ▪ conditions characterized by severity, sternness, or asceticism: "a simple life of prayer and personal austerity"
   • ▪ difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce a budget deficit, especially by reducing public expenditure: "a period of austerity" Similar restraintmoderationeconomyseverityabstemiousnessfrugalityrigorcontinenceself-abnegationself-denialself-deprivationself-restraintcautionprudenceprovidencecanninesshardshipprivationdeprivationpenuryOpposite prosperity

   Word Origin late Middle English: from French austérité, from Latin austeritas, from austerus ‘severe’ (see austere).

   Scrabble Points: 12

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