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Antonyms for austere

Grammar : Adj
Spell : aw-steer
Phonetic Transcription : ɔˈstɪər

Definition of austere

Origin :
  • early 14c., from Old French austere (Modern French austère) and directly from Latin austerus "dry, harsh, sour, tart," from Greek austeros "bitter, harsh," especially "making the tongue dry" (originally used of fruits, wines), metaphorically "austere, harsh," from PIE *saus- "dry" (cf. Greek auos "dry," auein "to dry"). Use in English is figurative: "stern, severe, very simple." Related: Austerely.
  • adj severe in manner
  • adj refraining; abstinent
  • adj grim, barren
Example sentences :
  • His wife was an austere woman, who had once been kindly, and perhaps handsome.
  • Extract from : « American Notes » by Rudyard Kipling
  • May I once, and for the last time, assume the austere rights of friendship?
  • Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • The Federal expanded with surprise and then with austere pleasure.
  • Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable
  • "I have done with you, Herbert Jameson," he said, with austere dignity.
  • Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 2 August 1848 » by Various
  • And yet it must not be thought that his was an austere and grave existence.
  • Extract from : « Sir William Herschel: His Life and Works » by Edward Singleton Holden
  • The other judge was a man of austere countenance, and quite unknown to Ralph.
  • Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine
  • It suited his temperament, which was austere but not unfriendly.
  • Extract from : « Forever » by Robert Sheckley
  • Was this the ironic destiny of all ideals too austere for earth, too divine for humanity?
  • Extract from : « Audrey Craven » by May Sinclair
  • She was handsome, perhaps; but her face was too cold, too austere.
  • Extract from : « The Dominant Strain » by Anna Chapin Ray
  • She was a stern, austere, hard-hearted woman, whom nobody loved.
  • Extract from : « Queen Elizabeth » by Jacob Abbott

Synonyms for austere

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019