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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the company's new president has a reputation for granitelike sternness and monkish austerity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stern
John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025
Ars Technica: One of the most visually arresting images from James Cameron's blockbuster film Titanic was the ship's stern sticking straight up out of the water after breaking apart from the bow.
—ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Be thoroughly entertained: From solo musicians playing background music in the lobby bar to Broadway-type shows on the main stage, entertainment is pretty close to omnipresent from bow to stern.
—David Dickstein, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
Now, van der Heyden is in his early seventies with a stern, serious countenance that belies a life lived with tremendous joy and adventure.
—John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025
Ars Technica: One of the most visually arresting images from James Cameron's blockbuster film Titanic was the ship's stern sticking straight up out of the water after breaking apart from the bow.
—ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
The photos released Saturday by the Navy's Sixth Fleet show a tear on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier, near its stern.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Be thoroughly entertained: From solo musicians playing background music in the lobby bar to Broadway-type shows on the main stage, entertainment is pretty close to omnipresent from bow to stern.
—David Dickstein, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
So Read, a 56-year-old sexologist and writer based in Calgary, Canada, developed a strict sleep and bedtime routine.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place each April, has a strict no cell phone and cameras rule during the four days of official competition.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The actor behind the gruff but lovable Roy Kent shared a purrfectly eccentric analogy about the show's return on a recent episode of NPR's Wild Card podcast.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Bowling paints with the rhythm of a gruff intellectual.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hope reigns even in this harsh political climate we Americans are now experiencing.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Several previous town halls gave a platform to politically damaging attacks on GOP lawmakers over Trump’s policies and especially the harsh cuts in government agencies engineered by billionaire first buddy Elon Musk.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Melania Trump has courted controversy, garnered attention for her fashion Trump's fashion choices are the subject of fierce controversy and constant attention.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been called an authoritarian, and previous reports have noted restrictions to civil liberties.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In April, 2004, Phish played a series of exceptionally grim shows in Las Vegas.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Through various scenarios, viewers select actions to be performed by Stefan, many of which led to grim results — including for Poulter's character.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
González also supports a tough stance on crime but has criticized Noboa’s use of foreign military contractors.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While the prospect of facing Augusta National’s treacherous greens under major championship conditions would be overwhelmingly intimidating for most amateur golfers, McDermott is a unique case, to say the least.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Rory McIlroy commented on the missing trees on ten, apparently making the tee shot less intimidating — and that there is a little more room on the par-four third right side given the missing overhanging trees.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share