stern

1 of 2

adjective

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
sternly adverb
sternness noun

stern

2 of 2

noun

1
: the rear end of a boat
2
: a hinder or rear part : the last or latter part
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
The White House's tone toward Netanyahu has appeared to grow more stern in recent weeks, amid intense political pressure. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024 Charismatic and warm, the priest brings a different energy to St. Nicholas’ church and school, which has been a very formal center of learning run by the stern and unyielding principal, Sister Aloysius (Amy Ryan). Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 When Alana left the room, Lauryn had a stern conversation with Dralin and warned him about messing with her little sister's prospects. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 In the past two years, the CFPB has penalized medical debt collectors, issued stern warnings to health care providers and lenders that target patients, and published reams of reports on how the health care system is undermining the financial security of Americans. Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Elena has ordered every empty space to be packed with dehumidifiers, and her demands on the palace staff — Andrea Riseborough plays stern and increasingly frazzled household coordinator Agnes — are growing ever more erratic. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Chinese provocations near these islands, including the incursion of fishing boats accompanied by Chinese coast guard vessels into waters claimed by Indonesia, have spurred stern rebukes from Indonesian officials and the dispatch of warships and soldiers to the area. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024 Which is why Rodchenkov is an advocate of a more stern punishment. Molly Stazicker, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 The Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with stern Saturn and lucky moneybags Jupiter! Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
Starting at the stern, the beach club features a lounge with a convertible gym, a relaxation area with a sauna and massage room, an exquisite outdoor swimming pool, and folding hull platforms that open to create waterside lounges. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 On the stern of the cutter, a man in his early 30s named Peterson sat watching the children. Seth Freed Wessler, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2023 The powerful wake from the boat’s stern formed into a frothy V. Chattering tourists lounged topside. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024 Further toward the stern, a beach club sits atop a garage with an electric transom door. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 Heading outside, the generous beach club features opening side platforms that wrap around the stern and a sliding sun pad that covers the pool while Go is cruising the seas. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Another standout feature can be found at the stern. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2024 Those left on the stern began to talk among themselves, asking why the baby, who had barely stopped crying, and the other children had been left aboard the cutter. Seth Freed Wessler, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2023 If chumming is involved, the stern is also prime because the slick will flow out behind the boat. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stern was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stern

Cite this Entry

“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stern. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stern

1 of 2 adjective
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 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)

Isaac 1920–2001 American (Russian-born) violinist

Stern

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Otto 1888–1969 American (German-born) physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on stern

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