belt-tightening

noun

Definition of belt-tighteningnext
as in austerity

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belt-tightening Opponents argue the policy is shrinking the city’s restaurant workforce by forcing belt-tightening and putting establishments out of business. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 The budget gap needed unexpected belt-tightening and spending only on the essentials. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026 The package extended the belt-tightening path South Africa has been on since 2018, when President Cyril Ramaphosa took over a fiscally strained by ballooning budget shortfalls, rising budget shortfalls and a cascade of credit rating cuts. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026 Some industries are correcting after the hiring boom of the pandemic, but this comes as AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and rising costs drive belt-tightening and hiring freezes. — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belt-tightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belt-tightening
  1. austerity
  2. deprivation
  3. pinching
  4. privation
  5. misery
  6. exigency
  7. emergency
Noun
  • Just north of Manchester, the former mill town of Bury was hit hard by deindustrialization, then faced additional struggles under the austerity movement of the twenty-tens.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That movement was a reaction to evictions and other issues after a global economic crisis, including unemployment, austerity measures and corruption.
    — Alicia León, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of austerity
Noun
  • The indictment also describes a political opponent identified as Victim-3 who was subjected to beatings, sleep deprivation, threats and prolonged exposure to bright lights and loud sounds.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Council President Victoria Vasquez, R-3rd, asked if the decline in staffing caused any physical or mental impact on workers, such as sleep deprivation.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of deprivation
Noun
  • The Supportive Comfort Wireless Shaping Bra gives you wire-free lift with no pinching or poking.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Bali Double-Support Wireless Bra The bra’s signature M-frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, or poking throughout the day.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of pinching
Noun
  • The catastrophe was a reminder of not only the destructiveness of Israeli bombing, but also the depth of the continuing privation in Gaza today.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Though each of the Ghetto’s three areas (the Ghetto Nuovo, the Ghetto Vecchio, and the Ghetto Nuovissimo) retained its own, distinct character until remarkably late, it was always cramped, unsanitary, and marred by privation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of privation
Noun
  • The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For Palestinians, the anniversary brings another day of fear and misery.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of misery
Noun
  • Potential finalists will be notified via email and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, License of Work and Release of Liability/Publicity within three (3) days of date of notification, or a shorter time if required by exigencies, or a runner-up may be selected.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • The exigencies of the Revolution lead to promising more people representation.
    — KEN BURNS, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Definition of exigency
Noun
  • The emergency reserve has already fallen to its lowest level since the 1980s following releases intended to cushion oil price shocks from the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Elsewhere, a Ukrainian attack on Russia's eastern Belgorod region killed two people Friday, the area's regional emergency headquarters said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of emergency

Browse Nearby Words

belts up
belt-tightening
belt-tightenings
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Cite this Entry

“Belt-tightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belt-tightening. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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