austere
adjective
aus·tere ȯ-ˈstir 
also -ˈster
1
a
: stern and cold in appearance or manner
an austere Puritan
b
: somber, grave
an austere critic
2
: morally strict : ascetic
3
: markedly simple or unadorned
an austere office
an austere style of writing
4
: giving little or no scope for pleasure
austere diets
5
of a wine : having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging
austerely adverb
austereness noun
Synonyms
- authoritarian
- flinty
- hard
- harsh
- heavy-handed
- ramrod
- rigid
- rigorous
- severe
- stern
- strict
- tough
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
This is a national conceit that is the comprehensible result of the religious beliefs of the early New England colonists (Calvinist religious dissenters, moved by millenarian expectations and theocratic ideas), which convinced them that their austere settlements in the wilderness represented a new start in humanity's story. 
William Pfaff, New York Review, 15 Feb. 2007 For many of us with no firsthand familiarity with Greece, it's easy to forget that its celebrated ruins are a distortion and that we behold its ancient culture in its bare-bones lineaments. The austere white buildings of the Acropolis were once painted and parti-colored structures. Brad Leithauser, New York Times Book Review, 26 Mar. 2006 I cut off my long dark hair, put on the habit (and it was quite becoming, in an austere sort of way), wrapped a big rosary around my waist, threw the cloak over my shoulders and set out. Albert E. Cowdrey, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005 Certain kinds of landscapes—volatile ocean environments, sculpturally seductive alpine peaks, austere polar regions—became infused with what philosopher Edmund Burke called "a sort of delightful horror." James Balog, American Photo, May/June 2004 They choose austere furnishings for the office. He was known for his austere style of writing. They lived an austere life in the country. See More
William Pfaff, New York Review, 15 Feb. 2007 For many of us with no firsthand familiarity with Greece, it's easy to forget that its celebrated ruins are a distortion and that we behold its ancient culture in its bare-bones lineaments. The austere white buildings of the Acropolis were once painted and parti-colored structures. Brad Leithauser, New York Times Book Review, 26 Mar. 2006 I cut off my long dark hair, put on the habit (and it was quite becoming, in an austere sort of way), wrapped a big rosary around my waist, threw the cloak over my shoulders and set out. Albert E. Cowdrey, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005 Certain kinds of landscapes—volatile ocean environments, sculpturally seductive alpine peaks, austere polar regions—became infused with what philosopher Edmund Burke called "a sort of delightful horror." James Balog, American Photo, May/June 2004 They choose austere furnishings for the office. He was known for his austere style of writing. They lived an austere life in the country. See More Recent Examples on the Web His still lifes are exceedingly rare, and this is a mesmerizing image of austere beauty. John Wilmerding, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 That exact fear led the Academy to temporarily cancel the awards in 1942 before ultimately deciding to go ahead with a more austere ceremony that acknowledged and honored the current circumstances. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2021 If The Wall offers a feminist alternative to contemporary life, it’s thoroughly austere, defined by constant toil, unending solitude, the ever-present threat of danger. Naomi Huffman, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2022 Twenty years ago, the Barolos from Ravera tended to be a bit austere; these were wines that needed a decade to come around. Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The one set up early this week in the country’s capital by local and federal authorities is austere, filled with large white tents and equipped with portable sinks and toilets. Santiago Pérez, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 San Sebastian festival director José Luis Rebordinos welcomed the TikTok deal, saying the short-video platform would help bring the austere Spanish festival to a new generation. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 June 2022 While Rivero practices his charismatic acceptance speeches, Torres prepares his own austere rejection speeches. Sarah-tai Black, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 While the rest of the major leagues committed more than $3 billion on superbly talented free agents, the Yankees took an uncharacteristically austere approach and largely sat out the spending spree. Jared Diamond, WSJ, 13 June 2022 See More
John Wilmerding, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 That exact fear led the Academy to temporarily cancel the awards in 1942 before ultimately deciding to go ahead with a more austere ceremony that acknowledged and honored the current circumstances. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2021 If The Wall offers a feminist alternative to contemporary life, it’s thoroughly austere, defined by constant toil, unending solitude, the ever-present threat of danger. Naomi Huffman, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2022 Twenty years ago, the Barolos from Ravera tended to be a bit austere; these were wines that needed a decade to come around. Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The one set up early this week in the country’s capital by local and federal authorities is austere, filled with large white tents and equipped with portable sinks and toilets. Santiago Pérez, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 San Sebastian festival director José Luis Rebordinos welcomed the TikTok deal, saying the short-video platform would help bring the austere Spanish festival to a new generation. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 June 2022 While Rivero practices his charismatic acceptance speeches, Torres prepares his own austere rejection speeches. Sarah-tai Black, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 While the rest of the major leagues committed more than $3 billion on superbly talented free agents, the Yankees took an uncharacteristically austere approach and largely sat out the spending spree. Jared Diamond, WSJ, 13 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros harsh, severe; akin to Greek hauos dry — more at sere
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
austere
adjective
aus·tere ȯ-ˈstir
1
: seeming or acting serious and unfriendly
an austere family
2
: plain entry 1 sense 1
an austere room
austere
adjective
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- strict
- harsh
- tough
- authoritarian
- rigorous
- rigid
- stern
- severe
- hard
- flinty
- gruff
- merciless
- hardened
- relentless
- demanding
- relentless
- steadfast
- heavy-handed
- ascetic
- ramrod
- dour
- unforgiving
- uncompromising
- pitiless
- unbending
- inflexible
- implacable
- exacting
- adamant
- monastic
- unrelenting
- unyielding
- stiff
- callous
- monkish
- adamantine
- unsparing
- determined
- uncharitable
- ossified
- immovable
- bullying
- unflinching
- hard-line
- ascetical
- rock-ribbed
- hard-hearted
- intractable
- obstinate
- dogged
- browbeating
- firm
- single-minded
- resolved
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentle
- indulgent
- lax
- lenient
- tolerant
- easy
- mild
- easygoing
- undemanding
- clement
- forbearing
- soft
- kind
- charitable
- merciful
- patient
- laid-back
- softhearted
- agreeable
- accepting
- flexible
- compromising
- responsive
- yielding
- willing
- amenable
- complaisant
- acquiescent
- compliant
- pliant
- pliable
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance an austere fortress at the top of some formidable cliffs Synonyms & Similar Words
- gruff
- stern
- grim
- intimidating
- rugged
- fierce
- forbidding
- bleak
- stark
- dour
- hostile
- severe
- flinty
- rough
- steely
- somber
- cold
- ungentle
- dark
- lowering
- hardened
- stubborn
- moody
- louring
- inhospitable
- solemn
- resolute
- rigid
- black
- unfriendly
- uncompromising
- stiff
- unbending
- inflexible
- determined
- unflinching
- implacable
- unsympathetic
- steadfast
- obdurate
- inimical
- unrelenting
- cheerless
- unyielding
- purposeful
- joyless
- adamant
- morose
- gloomy
- mulish
- melancholy
- sullen
- obstinate
- unsmiling
- melancholic
- intent
- humorless
- bound
- staid
- brooding
- serious
- immovable
- glum
- willful
- hardheaded
- firm
- hard
- sober
- unchangeable
- fixed
- sombre
- resolved
- surly
- sulky
- immutable
- set
- self-willed
- wilful
- weighty
- grave
- ironhanded
- sobersided
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mild
- gentle
- benign
- bland
- soft
- mellow
- meek
- quiet
- benignant
- tender
- soothing
- tranquil
- easy
- pleasant
- sweet
- agreeable
- cheerful
- bright
- pleasing
- nonintimidating
- sunny
- inviting
- merry
- mirthful
- lighthearted
- frivolous
- happy
- playful
- silly
- goofy
- glad
- giddy
- scatterbrained
- flighty
- harebrained
- featherbrained
- light-headed
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- spartan
- stark
- simple
- unadorned
- no-frills
- unfancy
- plain
- undecorated
- unelaborate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- luxurious
- luxe
- fancy
- plush
- elaborate
- deluxe
- decorated
- adorned
- Lucullan
- Lucullian
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
The meanings of stern and austere largely overlap; however, stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.
stern arbiters of public morality