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1

stark

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adjective \ˈstärk\

Definition of stark

  1. 1a :  rigid in or as if in deathb :  rigidly conforming (as to a pattern or doctrine) :  absolute stark discipline

  2. 2 archaic :  strong, robust

  3. 3 :  utter, sheer stark nonsense

  4. 4a :  barren, desolateb (1) :  having few or no ornaments :  bare a stark white room (2) :  harsh, blunt the stark realities of death

  5. 5 :  sharply delineated a stark contrast

starkly

adverb

starkness

noun

See stark defined for English-language learners

See stark defined for kids

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Examples of stark in a sentence

  1. The room was decorated with stark simplicity.

  2. the stark reality of death

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

  4. There is a stark difference between them.

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

Origin and Etymology of stark

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: before 12th century

stark Synonyms

Synonyms
austere, dour, fierce, flinty, forbidding, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, grim, steely, stern, ungentle
Antonyms
benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender
Related Words
bleak, cold, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, unfriendly, unsympathetic; adamant, bound, determined, firm, intent, purposeful, resolute, resolved, steadfast, unflinching; fixed, hard, hardened, hardheaded, immovable, implacable, inflexible, ironhanded, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, self-willed, set, stiff, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful); immutable, unchangeable; black, cheerless, dark, gloomy, glum, joyless, melancholic, moody, morose, sulky, sullen, surly; brooding, grave, humorless, melancholy, serious, sober, sobersided, solemn, somber (or sombre), staid, unsmiling, weighty
Near Antonyms
bland, meek, mellow, soft, soothing; easy, quiet, tranquil; agreeable, bright, cheerful, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, sweet; glad, happy, lighthearted, merry, mirthful, sunny; featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, giddy, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, playful, scatterbrained, silly
2

stark

adverb

Definition of stark

  1. 1 :  in a stark manner

  2. 2 :  to an absolute or complete degree :  wholly stark naked stark mad

See stark defined for English-language learners

13th Century

First Known Use of stark

13th century

Stark

play
biographical name \ˈshtärk, ˈstärk\

Definition of Stark

  1. Johannes 1874–1957 German physicist

Stark

play
biographical name \ˈstärk\

Definition of Stark

  1. John 1728–1822 American general in Revolution

Phrases related to STARK

Related Phrases

STARK Defined for English Language Learners

1

stark

play
adjective \ˈstärk\

Definition of stark for English Language Learners

  • : having a very plain and often cold or empty appearance

  • : unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience

  • : very obvious : very plain and easily seen

2

stark

adverb

Definition of stark for English Language Learners

  • : completely or fully

STARK Defined for Kids

1

stark

play
adjective \ˈstärk\

Definition of stark for Students

starker

;

starkest

  1. 1 :  barren 2, desolate a stark landscape

  2. 2 :  clear and harsh She faced the stark reality of poverty.

  3. 3 :  very obvious The differences were stark.

2

stark

play
adverb

Definition of stark for Students

  1. :  completely stark naked

Learn More about stark

  1. See words that rhyme with stark Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stark Spanish Central: Translation of stark Nglish: Translation of stark for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stark for Arabic speakers

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Examples: stark in a sentence