stern

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstərn 

1

a

: having a definite hardness or severity of nature or manner : austere

b

: expressive of severe displeasure : harsh

2

: forbidding or gloomy in appearance

3

: inexorable

stern necessity

4

: sturdy, stout

a stern resolve

sternly adverb

sternness

ˈstərn-nəs 

noun

stern

2 of 2

noun

1

: the rear end of a boat

2

: a hinder or rear part : the last or latter part

Synonyms

Adjective

• austere
• authoritarian
• flinty
• hard
• harsh
• heavy-handed
• ramrod
• rigid
• rigorous
• severe
• strict
• tough

Choose the Right Synonym for stern

severe, stern, austere, ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint.

severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

Examples of stern in a Sentence

Adjective

He gave me a stern look.

the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Once again, her stern words earned tepid applause from a crowd that honestly just wanted to go two hours without thinking about humanity's downward trajectory into civil, moral, and environmental oblivion. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025

But Sunday’s election could mark its sternest test yet. —Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Feb. 2025

Noun

The main pool, located on the yacht’s stern, is set to be one of the largest in the industry at nearly 65 feet long and 18 feet wide. —Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2025

Guests will never quarrel over space, as the folding bulwarks expand the beach club area in the stern, creating an alfresco hub of sociability. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sterne, from Old English styrne; akin to Old English starian to stare — more at stare

Noun

Middle English, rudder, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse stjōrn steering, rudder; akin to Old English stīeran to steer — more at steer

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stern

• from stem to stern
• stern chase
• stern chaser
• stern sheets
• stern-wheeler

Rhymes for stern

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern

Kids Definition

stern

1 of 2 adjective

ˈstərn 

1

a

: hard and severe in nature or manner

a stern judge

b

: expressing severe displeasure : harsh

a stern look

2

: not inviting or attractive : forbidding, grim

3

: firm and not changeable : stout, resolute

stern determination

sternly adverb

sternness

ˈstərn-nəs 

noun

stern

2 of 2 noun

1

: the rear end of a boat

2

: a rear part

Biographical Definition

Stern 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈstərn 

Isaac 1920–2001 American (Russian-born) violinist

Stern

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Otto 1888–1969 American (German-born) physicist