stern

¹stern

adjective \ˈstərn\

Definition of STERN

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>

— stern·ly adverb

— stern·ness \ˈstərn-nəs\ noun

Examples of STERN

1. He gave me a stern look.
2. <the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him>

Origin of STERN

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STERN

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant

Related Words

demanding, exacting; uncharitable, unforgiving; adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding; dour, gruff; ascetic (also ascetical), monastic, monkish; browbeating, bullying; determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching; dogged, intractable, obstinate, relentless

Near Antonyms

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding; charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted; accepting, compromising, yielding; responsive, willing; acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

See Synonym Discussion at severe

Rhymes with STERN

Bern, burn, churn, earn, erne, fern, kern, learn, pirn, quern, spurn, tern, terne, turn, urn, yearn

²stern

noun

Definition of STERN

1

: the rear end of a boat

2

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

Origin of STERN

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: 14th century

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Stern

biographical name \ˈstərn\

Definition of STERN

Isaac 1920–2001 Am. (Russ.-born) violinist

Stern

biographical name

Definition of STERN

Otto 1888–1969 Am. (Ger.-born) physicist