stark

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstärk 

1

a

: rigid in or as if in death

b

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

stark discipline

2

archaic : strong, robust

3

: utter, sheer

stark nonsense

4

a

: barren, desolate

b(1)

: having few or no ornaments : bare

a stark white room

(2)

: harsh, blunt

the stark realities of death

5

: sharply delineated

a stark contrast

starkly adverb

starkness noun

stark

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in a stark manner

2

: to an absolute or complete degree : wholly

stark naked

stark mad

Synonyms

Adjective

• grim
• gruff
• fierce
• stern
• bleak
• rugged
• intimidating
• 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

In stark contrast with his first term, in which many senior officials steered the administration to focus on great-power competition, Trump appears to be pursuing a transactional approach to geopolitics based on dealmaking with other major powers. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

In 2016, the EPA conducted only 17 enforcement actions against CAFOs, a stark decrease from previous years. —Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Adverb

But the lack of health insurance, sick pay and other protections for many Americans, including Uber contractors, is stark now. —Shira Ovide, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020

The divide is stark between the two categories of states. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2020

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 1a

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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