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
At the time, the ruling drew sharp criticism from rights groups, opposition leaders and even the US embassy under the Biden administration, marking a stark contrast to the current US position.
—
David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The relatively light sentence stands in stark contrast to the potential legal consequences Fivio initially faced.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Board faces a stark choice: enforce its standards and demand reform, or enable a system that treats incarcerated people as disposable.
—Darren MacK, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
The montage edited performances of the same songs side-by-side to highlight a stark contrast in her movements and racked up more than 2.8 million views before label YG Entertainment blocked it on copyright grounds, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The relatively light sentence stands in stark contrast to the potential legal consequences Fivio initially faced.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Board faces a stark choice: enforce its standards and demand reform, or enable a system that treats incarcerated people as disposable.
—Darren MacK, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
The montage edited performances of the same songs side-by-side to highlight a stark contrast in her movements and racked up more than 2.8 million views before label YG Entertainment blocked it on copyright grounds, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
11 Aug. 2025
-
But while the afterparty was a little bit grim, MGK will always support Kelce — a fellow Ohioan — and the rest of the Chiefs.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The look was finished with a silk tulle veil, crystal beaded Manolo Blahnik satin sandals and a pair of sheer elbow gloves.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Founder Samantha Brett emphasizes layering SPF over makeup, with formulas like their Beauty Screen Mineral Tints providing SPF50 protection in a sheer, wearable finish.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Exploring Indonesia—an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands—over a decade has led me to some truly jaw-dropping beaches, some gloriously desolate, others vibrantly alive with international travelers, expats, and locals.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, two days before the double murder, a 21-year-old man was shot and wounded around 3:30 a.m. on the same desolate block, which is about a mile and a half from where Sanchez was killed, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Faced with this existential crisis, Bull gathers his best pals—Rocco, a gruff boxer (Idris Elba); Lucky, a dopey but loyal beagle (Bobby Moynihan); and Fetch, a wannabe influencer dachshund (Fred Armisen)—for one final night of canine mischief.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Though polar opposites, together, Leonard and Bitchy have seen it all; the gruff Bitchy serves as the play’s agitator, pitting him opposite Leonard, the conscience and Greek chorus.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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But it was intended to be a simple, three-course meal, the documents showed.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
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In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the state’s congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.—
Elena Shao,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The heartless subway mugger who slashed and badly wounded a woman on an empty Manhattan train car will stay locked up following his arrest late last week.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
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The day after the crash, the FWC investigators found a stash of empty booze bottles and cans on the boat.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For the visual effects supervisors who were tasked with bringing the arctic horrors to life, their challenge was adding depth and value to a barren landscape.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
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Deep in the interior lies Askja, a vast volcanic caldera surrounded by a barren lava desert.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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