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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Striking a stylish, comfortable balance between the two extremes, the aesthetic is calm without feeling stark and personal without being chaotic.
—
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
But Michaels, in stark contrast to most of Neville’s previous subjects, is alive.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
After tallying up the impact on various sectors, the result is stark.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Even tech executives have issued stark warnings.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stark
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
But Michaels, in stark contrast to most of Neville’s previous subjects, is alive.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
After tallying up the impact on various sectors, the result is stark.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Even tech executives have issued stark warnings.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
The seafarer who spoke to ABC News described a grim scene currently of ships drifting with little direction, and listening on the ship-to-ship communication systems called the VHF line -- accounts of crews growing desperate for basic provisions, and some begging to go home.—
Desiree Adib,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the roughly 800-mile front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the 6-foot-5 Dennis-Sutton’s potential and sheer agility are off the charts, at his size.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The format has its limitations, though — the most obvious for fans with an inclination to ship is the sheer inability to develop romantic relationships over the course of a season.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These are great for traveling or if your yard is devoid of things to attach to.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Eastern New Mexico — dry, desolate — looks and feels very much like an appendage of West Texas.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Plot details are under wraps but according to the spartan official synopsis, the psychological thriller unfolds in a seemingly idyllic and takes audiences on a vertiginous dive into the shifting limits of a sound mind, as grief and obsession take hold.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leslie and her gruff-but-caring, staunch Libertarian boss Ron Swanson (the incomparable Nick Offerman) became symbols of bygone bipartisanship, not to mention endless memes.—
Jennifer Armstrong,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
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And Zendaya, as to be expected, really, is fantastic, slipping effortlessly under the skin of the gruff addict in recovery, trying to claw her way out of an increasingly deep hole.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This translates to the Gap cardigan sweater and the Levi’s shorts paired with the flats for a simple, slightly elevated look that feels comfortable.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Five-star hotels in the Pakistani capital have been empty, awaiting diplomatic delegations for a next round of negotiations this week between Iran and the US.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Police officers advised a dispatcher that the suspect vehicle was empty and no children were located inside.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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