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
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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
For independents, the Democratic primary does reveal a stark battle between the establishment and anti-establishment independents.
—
Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
For others, Memorial Day serves as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This type of path is in stark contrast to a linear pathway.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stark
Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
For others, Memorial Day serves as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
This type of path is in stark contrast to a linear pathway.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
Robert Shapiro, the first member and initial chair of OJ Simpson's defense team, gave a grim prediction regarding Diddy's potential sentence.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
-
As of a grim Monday morning tally, 41 people still were missing.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The sheer variety of equipment, the pace of change and rising customer demands call for something better: a knowledge capture process that’s baked into the daily workflow.—
Thomas Cottereau,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Some may prove useful in the long run and others illusory, but for now they are statistically swamped by the sheer amount of renewable power coming online.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 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
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
Griffith also describes in vivid detail the desolate Hopi landscape and the villages atop the three mesas.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
Despite its desolate appearance, Bouvet is surprisingly rich in bird life.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Audiences can often sense the corporate overlords’ gruff hands pushing these previously distinct programs together.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 July 2025
-
On the other hand, the 73-year-old Belichick’s gruff persona, with his monosyllabic utterances at news conferences, has become the stuff of legend.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Chris wore a simple navy blue polo shirt and khaki shorts combo, while Alexa showed off her growing bump in a white and blue floral dress — along with an Olympic logo necklace to complete her maternity style.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
11 July 2025
-
While in many ways, this flat 33km time-trial is simple, particularly in its middle section, there is still plenty to watch out for.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The actor is actually photographed on an empty set, with one or two life-size props to give him his bearings; meanwhile, another camera superimposes the miniature set, in sync with the first camera.—
Andrew Tobias,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
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Whether you’re just getting started or you’re headed to the Med Spa, Noh has advice for how to up your skincare game, avoid empty trends, and DIY your skincare at home with her favorite products, face exercises, and step-by-step skincare routines.—
Carmen Rios,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The jetliner heading to Nairobi lost control shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and nose-dived into a barren patch of land.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
-
However, planting vegetation under solar panels—as opposed to the more traditional method of siting solar arrays on somewhat barren land—can help cool them.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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