1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
The difference in how much each school receives of these funds is stark, the dashboard shows, with schools that were more White and affluent receiving fewer dollars.
—
Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Generational divides are stark as well.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
To keep the room bright and inviting without veering into stark, Scott painted the walls and ceiling a sandy tone (Valspar Quill) that reads paler in the daylight.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
The Reds, in the reddest of ink and starkest of contrasts, have become synonymous with stinginess under Bob Castellini’s ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Generational divides are stark as well.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
To keep the room bright and inviting without veering into stark, Scott painted the walls and ceiling a sandy tone (Valspar Quill) that reads paler in the daylight.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
The Reds, in the reddest of ink and starkest of contrasts, have become synonymous with stinginess under Bob Castellini’s ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
At the core of the GOP’s shutdown argument is painting a grim picture of any non-citizen receiving any government benefit.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In her usual soft-spoken British accent, she was known for balancing the grim realities of the climate crisis with a sincere message of hope for the future.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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The sheer paucity of Russian resources, after three and a half years of war, may lead to a similarly ineffective response to any use of Tomahawks.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
-
Unlike other parts of the Cascades, where campgrounds are plentiful and the Pacific Crest Trail attracts hundreds of hikers, this area is desolate.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Despite the Winchesters' massive home, thanks to Andrew's family's wealth, Millie is banished to live in a desolate attic bedroom.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Roku then picked up the rights for a spartan $10 million—about a third of what Peacock shelled out in each year of its contract.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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The Long Walk uses the rawness of its spartan premise to venture deep into uncomfortable territory, culminating in an ending that blurs the lines between perseverance and defeat, hope and nihilism.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This pays off to some extent because Day-Lewis is such a mesmerizing presence, Ray’s gruff manner and terse communications hinting at dark mysteries to be revealed.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jared Jewelers Bulova Phantom Watch A watch is both practical and fashionable, and this style adds a touch of sparkle to simple outfits.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Each year, as the temperature rises, the town’s regular population of around 300 swells with thousands of kids soaking up the simple pleasures of the great outdoors.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The album is a hot mess of conflicted emotions, empty braggadocio, poor technique, and heartbreaking yet tiresome crying jags.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Reports indicated empty alcohol containers were found in the Nissan.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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