1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
Her mother battled the disease, and endured eight grueling years on dialysis before passing away at the age of 60, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
—
Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
History offers a stark warning: The deadliest aviation disaster occurred not in flight but on the ground.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
That's in stark contrast to conventional funds, which saw some $300 billion of inflows in the fourth quarter alone.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
This is a stark contrast to the Chinese retaliatory tariffs enacted in 2018, during the first Trump Administration, which were more broad-based and affected both blue and red counties.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stark 
Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
History offers a stark warning: The deadliest aviation disaster occurred not in flight but on the ground.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
That's in stark contrast to conventional funds, which saw some $300 billion of inflows in the fourth quarter alone.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
This is a stark contrast to the Chinese retaliatory tariffs enacted in 2018, during the first Trump Administration, which were more broad-based and affected both blue and red counties.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
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Informatica — Shares plunged 33% after the cloud data management company issued a grim forecast for the current quarter.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
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Players who are used to the dull reds and grim grays of many modern RPGs will have to get used to the bright blue skies and just-short-of-psychedelic pastel palettes that make the Living Lands much easier on the eyes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Maybe her semi-see-through outfit spoke to that even more loudly than the song, as a salute to sheer endurance.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
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Use the Right Window Fixtures Instead of heavy drapes and black-out blinds, stick to sheer window treatments.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
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The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
28 Oct. 2023
Adjective
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Although Mars is known for being a dry and desolate desert, its landscape hasn’t always been so hostile.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
29 Jan. 2025
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At first glance, the entire landscape looked grim and desolate.—
M. R. O’Connor,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The track resonates with Belinda’s crystalline vocals, dynamic guitar riffs, and spirited trumpet interplays, while Tito’s distinctively gruff delivery adds grit to their musical escapade.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
17 Jan. 2025
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Resolved to continue on her trip for the sake of her son, Sara finds herself in a perilous situation, and is forced to lean on the elusive Issac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), a gruff recluse who lives on the outskirts of Ft. Bridger.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Styled by Dani Levi, Kardashian wore a simple floor-length bodycon gown from Balenciaga Couture.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
17 Feb. 2025
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Its simple style can be dressed up with your best evening wear or paired with casual outfits to be your next wardrobe staple.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Shoppers have taken to social media to document the egg crisis, sharing photos and videos of empty shelves, limit notices and other shoppers mass purchasing eggs.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Jayhawks have a longstanding consecutive sellout streak (more than 360 games), but there have been empty seats at various games.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Lost in the woods, Irving dreams of a barren forest and the MDR cubicles — with Burt (Christopher Walken) behind a desk.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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The barren structure, half wrapped in glass, is particularly noticeable at night, when strings of bright construction lights illuminate every floor.—
Eric Lach,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stark
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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