stark

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstärk 

1

a

: barren, desolate

a stark landscape

b(1)

: having few or no ornaments : bare

a stark white room

(2)

: harsh, blunt

the stark realities of death

2

: sharply delineated

a stark contrast

3

a

: rigid in or as if in death

b

: rigidly conforming (as to a pattern or doctrine) : absolute

stark discipline

4

: utter, sheer

stark nonsense

5

archaic : strong, robust

starkly adverb

starkness noun

stark

2 of 2

adverb

1

: to an absolute or complete degree : wholly

stark naked

stark mad

2

: in a stark manner

Synonyms of stark

Adjective

• grim
• gruff
• fierce
• stern
• intimidating
• bleak
• rugged
• severe
• forbidding
• hostile

Examples of stark in a Sentence

Adjective

The room was decorated with stark simplicity.

the stark reality of death

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.

There is a stark difference between them.

His criticism of the movie stands in stark contrast to the praise it has received from others.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The openness was in stark contrast to the defensive, tactical precision and gnawing tension that make the matches surrounding this one so captivating, but which can stifle some of sport’s beauty and brilliance. — Sergio Gonzalez, New York Times, 19 July 2026

In a stark sign of how the competitive dynamic has changed, Kalshi had more daily users on its phone app during the tournament than either of the two largest US online sports-gambling apps, DraftKings and FanDuel, according to Apptopia. — Nathaniel Popper, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Adverb

The president of the United States is stark-raving mad. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026

If the puzzle book was to enter the world stark-naked, the two men would duck beneath a cloak of pseudonymity. — Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, stiff, strong, from Old English stearc; akin to Old High German starc strong, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen — more at stare

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing stark

• in stark/marked/sharp contrast with/to
• stark naked
• stark raving mad
• stark staring mad

Rhymes for stark

• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• dark
• hark
• lark
• marc
• mark
• marque
• narc
• quark

Kids Definition

stark

1 of 2 adjective

ˈstärk 

1

: strong sense 1, robust

2

a

: stiff sense 1, motionless

stark in death

b

: inflexible sense 3, strict

stark discipline

3

: sheer entry 1 sense 2a, utter

stark nonsense

4

a

: barren entry 1 sense 2a, desolate

a stark landscape

b

: having few or no ornaments : bare

5

: unadorned, harsh

stark realism

starkly adverb

stark

2 of 2 adverb

: wholly, absolutely

stark mad

Biographical Definition

Stark 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈshtärk  ˈstärk 

Johannes 1874–1957 German physicist

Stark

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

ˈstärk 

John 1728–1822 American general in Revolution