AUSTERE Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

austere

adjective

ȯ-ˈstir

Definition of austere

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Georgia O’Keefe in her austere blacks and whites, struck a seemingly deliberate, stark juxtaposition with the cloudy, pastel-toned washes of her southwestern paintings. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026 Because what Company does have is a deep sense of place and an austere, luminous beauty. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 Mexico’s commitment follows previous such agreements for sharing in shortage and keeping water in Lake Mead, the last of which was expiring along with Interior’s previous, less austere shortage guidelines for the states. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Broadly speaking, great works of Russian literature have a tendency to combine painfully austere themes with strangely rich imaginations. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for austere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for austere

Adjective

Anthropic wants Congress to set strict limits on when federal authorities can stop advanced AI models from reaching users.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
France, unlike the United States, places strict limits on campaign spending, but money still shapes the broader political ecosystem.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of strict

Adjective

Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

Even the most spartan features of the airport get a splash of creativity.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
And the narrative that Iran will just collapse because there is no new money coming in from oil is antithetical to this extreme regime, which prides itself on a spartan life.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of spartan

Adjective

And now those still left in the battered city along Ukraine's southeastern front face death from hunger or disease as another harsh winter looms, with no agreement in sight for even a humanitarian evacuation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Despite low winds and little rain, harsh surf continues to wreak havoc along Southern California's coastal communities.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

But if Earth did somehow get supremely unlucky, and we were directly hit by a jet even a few thousand light-years away, our situation would be grim.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The political environment appears increasingly favorable for Democrats and grim for Republicans, meaning districts once considered locks for the GOP are suddenly in play.

— Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of grim

Adjective

The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Thermal equilibrium might sound like a tough concept, but hundreds of systems reach them around us on a daily basis.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred near the vessel’s stern deck, resulting in limited damage, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stern

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auspiciously

austere

austerely

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“Austere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/austere. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of austere

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