PoliticsAugust 17, 2026

austerity

aw-STAIR-ih-tee

Definition

Policies characterized by strict economic measures, such as budget cuts and tax increases, used by governments to reduce national debt and deficit spending.

Etymology

Derived from the Old French 'austerite,' meaning 'severity' or 'sternness,' which traces back to the Latin 'austeritas,' referring to a harsh or rough quality.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the economic strategy of President Hichilema, whose success or failure is being judged by voters in the general election.

The Zambian government has arrested the main opposition leaders on the very night of the elections.

Read the full article ↗

Gamereactor UK

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.