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   Aus·tere

   /ôˈstir/

   

   adjective

   • 1. severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance: "an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook" Similar severesternstrictharshunfeelingstonysteelyflintydourgrimcoldfrostyfrigidicychillyunemotionalunfriendlyformalstiffstuffyreservedremotedistantaloofforbiddingmean-lookinggravesolemnseriousunsmilingunsympatheticunforgivinguncharitablehardrigorousstringentunyieldingunbendingunrelentinginflexibleilliberalno-nonsenseinformal:hard-boiledhard-nosedsolidOpposite genial
   • ▪ (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic: "conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere" Similar strictself-denyingself-abnegatingmoderatetemperatesobersimplefrugalspartanrestrainedself-restrainedself-disciplinednonindulgentasceticpuritanicalself-sacrificinghair-shirtabstemiousabstinentcelibatechastecontinentmoraluprightOpposite immoderate
   • ▪ having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance; unadorned: "the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity" Similar plainsimplebasicfunctionalmodestunadornedundecoratedunornamentedunembellishedunostentatiousunfurnishedunclutteredunfussywithout frillssubduedmutedrestrainedstarkbleakbarebaldclinicalsomberseverespartanasceticinformal:no frillsOpposite ornate
   • ▪ (of an economic policy or measure) designed to reduce a budget deficit, especially by cutting public expenditure.

   Word Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros ‘severe’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. austerely adverb

   Scrabble Points: 7

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