ascetic
/əˈsɛ.tɪk/
Group 3Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (adjective)
- Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence GRE
- (noun)
- A person who practices severe self-discipline GRE
Example in Context
The monk's ascetic lifestyle, devoid of any material comforts, stood in stark contrast to the opulence of the surrounding city.
Synonyms
self-denyingausterespartan
Etymology
A lifestyle of rigorous self-discipline and abstention.
- askesis (Greek) — exercise
Memory Aid
🤔Sounds like “a skeptic”
A SKEPTIC at a buffet turns away from all the food, saying, 'No thanks, I’m living an ASCETIC life!'
Visual Association
🚫🍰A monk sitting in meditation while a lavish cake sits untouched on a nearby table.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ascetic” mean on the GRE?
ascetic (adjective) means “Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence”. The monk's ascetic lifestyle, devoid of any material comforts, stood in stark contrast to the opulence of the surrounding city.
How to remember “ascetic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “ascetic” sounds like “a skeptic”. A SKEPTIC at a buffet turns away from all the food, saying, 'No thanks, I’m living an ASCETIC life!'
What are synonyms for “ascetic”?
Common synonyms: self-denying, austere, spartan.