1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stern
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The vote came after a stern warning to the AQMD board from the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, that any action to impede use of domestic energy resources would face a legal challenge.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Temo Once it's mounted to the stern, the Temo 450 operates with the push of the trigger on the inside of the rounded ambidextrous handle (after the unit is unlocked via a magnetic key that straps to the user's wrist for security).
—New Atlas, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
Listen to this article In the end, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey chose to send a stern message with his 7.5-year prison sentence of Michael J. Madigan, former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The vote came after a stern warning to the AQMD board from the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, that any action to impede use of domestic energy resources would face a legal challenge.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Noun
North Korean state media had previously reported that the damage was less severe than initially feared, and that there were no holes in the hull, though it was scratched along the side and some seawater had entered the stern.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Temo Once it's mounted to the stern, the Temo 450 operates with the push of the trigger on the inside of the rounded ambidextrous handle (after the unit is unlocked via a magnetic key that straps to the user's wrist for security).
—New Atlas, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
At JPMorgan, an internal culture study found that fewer employees feel like their health and well-being are a corporate priority, likely triggered by the bank’s strict five-day in-office policy.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Strategy games require humanlike ability to think across and beyond multiple steps, deal with unpredictable responses, adapt to changing objectives and still conform to a strict rule set.—
Vinay K. Chaudhri,
Scientific American,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
-
Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
With an overall length of 364-feet, beam of over 52-feet, and displacement of 4,550 gross tons, Y726 is one of the largest yachts by volume Oceanco has ever built.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Excavations uncovered a section of wooden pipe built from three tree trunks and measuring over 3 feet across as well as some other beams and wicker used to construct the well.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Come spring, the Ranger III carries everything from outhouses and diesel fuel for the generators to construction supplies to repair whatever damage Mother Nature did to facilities over the harsh winter.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
The United States and Europe must finally sever all economic ties with Russia (e.g., nuclear partnerships) and impose harsher sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions so that China and others face consequences for their support of the war.—
Laura Thornton,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
25 June 2025
-
Roca—with his pants torn and blood showing through—returns to fight and ultimately brings the bull down with one fierce thrust, leaving the sword in its back.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The country is not like other countries that have had authoritarian histories.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
-
The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the grim topic, the report offers encouraging news: Steady progress has been made in reducing child labor globally.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
26 June 2025
-
Gatwa’s first as the Doctor. Compare Season 15 to Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the Time Lord, and things get grimmer.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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However, generally speaking, insoluble fiber is commonly found in whole grains, bran, legumes, nuts, seeds, produce skins, and tough vegetables and fruits.—
Mara Santilli,
SELF,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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