STERNLY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

sternly

adverb

Definition of sternly

as in harshly

in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering sternly reprimanded the prosecuting attorney for making comments that never should have been heard by the jury

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 sternly Colombia manager Hernan Dario Gomez had sternly instructed Sanchez to play clean and to avoid a potential red card. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 July 2026 That church, by the way, is of the sternly Evangelical variety, and the Gheorghius take it very seriously indeed. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 May 2026 Did DeSantis call Uthmeier on the carpet and sternly instruct him to follow the law? — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026 After sternly addressing the company executives who put the city through a year-long court battle, the Leavenworth Planning Commission on Monday evening voted 5-1 to recommend granting CoreCivic’s zoning application to operate for at least three years. — Matthew Kelly february 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026 The lawsuit comes days after Austin voters sternly rejected a 20% property tax increase as the city struggles to overcome a budget deficit. — Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 6 Nov. 2025 This folly—which Iran has sternly warned against—is immoral, unjustified, and unlawful. — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 Sulmona gave the Catholic world a pope, Innocent VII in the 15th century, but Piazza XX Settembre is the location of Sulmona’s foremost historical figure, the greatest of all Roman poets, Ovid, whose bronze statue stands sternly atop a pedestal. — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sternly

Adverb

An otherwise magical season for the New England Patriots ended rather harshly in Super Bowl LX.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Yet others — particularly those who identify as Jews through ethnic, cultural or family ties, rather than religion — feel less connected to Israel and judge its actions in the ongoing conflict more harshly.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of harshly

Adverb

The person who died was taken to the shore severely injured and, despite CPR being administered, was pronounced dead, officials said.

— Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 15 July 2026
When rescuers first met her, Rockalina’s eyes were sealed shut, her nails were severely overgrown, and cat hair had become tightly wrapped around one of her legs.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of severely

Adverb

The oppressively hot and steamy weather was no deterrent for the crowds that lined up along Crandon Boulevard on Saturday to celebrate America’s independence at Key Biscayne’s 67th Fourth of July parade.

— Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Fortunately, this spell of hot temps will be a generally drier heat — not necessarily oppressively humid like is typical for New England.

— Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026