austere Play adjectiveSevere or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. SYNONYMS aloofchillycolddistantdourflintyforbiddingformalfrigidfrostygravegrimharshicymean-lookingremotereservedseriousseveresolemnsteelysternstiffstonystrictstuffyuncharitableunemotionalunfeelingunforgivingunfriendlyunsmilingunsympathetic