1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stern
Air Mail, 10 May 2025
The president shared no caption alongside the image, which depicts him sitting with a stern expression and holding up one finger while wearing white and gold papal attire, including a large cross necklace.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 May 2025
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
At the stern of the Hinnøy, there were what appeared to be three small, bright orange submarines.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
To paraphrase the historian Simon Schama, if Thatcher was the stern nanny who gave Brits their medicine, Diana was the loving mother who smothered them in tactile affection.
—Air Mail, 10 May 2025
The president shared no caption alongside the image, which depicts him sitting with a stern expression and holding up one finger while wearing white and gold papal attire, including a large cross necklace.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
There’s also one in the stern, which Paczkowski has revamped to seamlessly connect to the beach club, the aft platform, and the main deck.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
At the stern of the Hinnøy, there were what appeared to be three small, bright orange submarines.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
Under the measure's broad scope and strict distance limits, few areas in Ohio would remain open to such purchases.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Every lens test follows strict real-world testing, where every feature and all functions are tested to assess overall performance.—
James Abbott,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The lights in the hall dimmed completely — and then the room lit up again as hundreds of small beams illuminated the space.—
RoselynMartin Somtochukwu Ilo,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
-
On colliding with the plasma, the beam particles are re-ionized, while the collision energy heats the plasma.—
David Szondy
May 10,
New Atlas,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
In fact, all forms of Persian rap — from street rap and gangsta to philosophical and social hip-hop — were used in the service of protest, with many works accompanied by heavy beats, dark atmospheres, and harsh narrative styles.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
-
Padilla had harsh comments for the president and the GOP in a statement Thursday after the House vote.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
From 2019 to 2020, the authoritarian petrostate paid $115,000 a month to now–Attorney General Pam Bondi and her firm to lobby on its behalf.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
The congressman sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing him of prioritizing personal spectacle and showing admiration for authoritarian leaders.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
The headlines may be grim, but history is generous to those who stay invested.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
His face is grim, lacking the exuberance and devil-may-care attitude visible in earlier paintings.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.—
Staff Author Published,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
-
Johnson has been on a winning streak this year with Trump in the White House and backing him repeatedly to muscle through a series of very tough votes on the slimmest of majorities.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share