stern

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstərn 

1

a

: having a definite hardness or severity of nature or manner : austere

b

: expressive of severe displeasure : harsh

The judge gave them a stern warning.

2

: forbidding or gloomy in appearance

a stern expression

3

: inexorable

stern necessity

4

: sturdy, stout

a stern resolve

sternly adverb

sternness

ˈstərn-nəs 

noun

stern

2 of 2

noun

1

: the rear end of a boat

2

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

Synonyms of stern

Adjective

• strict
• harsh
• authoritarian
• tough
• rigid
• rigorous
• severe

Choose the Right Synonym for stern

severe, stern, austere, ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint.

severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

Examples of stern in a Sentence

Adjective

He gave me a stern look.

the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Then Chris and Tom’s boss, the stern Dane Walter (Adrian Lester, in a role the late Lance Reddick would have crushed), pulls the women from an embassy Christmas party to tell them their husbands were killed while serving their country. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2026

As part of its support service to the Royal Navy, Serco intends to purchase 24 vessels, including a mix of ASD tugs, reverse-stern-drive tugs, pilot boats, barges, and crane barges, for which the contract was awarded to Dutch defence manufacturer Damen. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026

Noun

Four men, wading up to their waists in the river, held the prow fast while another four helped Skinny Pedro fasten the engine to the stern with a single solid hook. —Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026

If the bow and stern of a heavy-laden ship are both sitting on a wave crest, the ship’s hull can sag. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

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

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stern

• from stem to stern
• stern chase
• stern chaser
• stern sheets
• stern-wheeler

Rhymes for stern

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern

Kids Definition

stern

1 of 2 adjective

ˈstərn 

1

a

: hard and severe in nature or manner

a stern judge

b

: expressing severe displeasure : harsh

a stern look

2

: not inviting or attractive : forbidding, grim

3

: firm and not changeable : stout, resolute

stern determination

sternly adverb

sternness

ˈstərn-nəs 

noun

stern

2 of 2 noun

1

: the rear end of a boat

2

: a rear part

Biographical Definition

Stern 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈstərn 

Isaac 1920–2001 American (Russian-born) violinist

Stern

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Otto 1888–1969 American (German-born) physicist