austere

Preposition: in

• comparison: But what had once been the grandest hotel in town seemed austere in comparison with what had grown up around it.
• way: German culture is austere in some ways, aloof in others.

Modifies a noun

• exterior: Under his rather austere exterior he was understanding and had a great sense of humor.
• beauty: Living hawaii dinner cruise in harmony they cruise around its austere beauty.
• landscape: The only relief in a dark and austere landscape was the loud, piercing song of the moorland birds.
• style: His new place is in the austere neoclassical style typical of the Italian Riviera.
• figure: That night in Rome I saw another side to Eriksson, far removed from the austere, emotionless public figure you know in Britain.
• environment: DRASH ® is currently in use in many of the world's most austere environments.

Modifying Another Word

• rather: The rather austere décor was softened by early evening candle light.
• somewhat: This was doubtless much more to the prevailing, somewhat austere, neoclassical taste.
• slightly: Clare wanted to keep a slightly austere working-class look to the house.
• too: The authority of the parents was too austere: such parents cannot easily give love to their children.
• very: At best they fit a very austere conception of what it is to be human.
• little: Fixtures and fittings are a little austere, but carefully designed.

Used with adjective complement

• seem: The effect seems austere, then revelatory, succinct in its hints or physical signals.
• look: Their house, known as The Court House, looks very austere with square headed, lead lined, stone mullioned windows.
• become: He brings to life Barrie's idea that society has become far too austere, and no longer believes in the fantastical.
• have: Taken with the cinematography, haunting soundtrack and stunning landscapes, the film has am austere, otherworldly air.
• mean: Lower impact and a smaller environmental footprint doesn't mean austere.