as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the company's new president has a reputation for granitelike sternness and monkish austerity
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Recent Examples of sternness
Saura had a large sense of the humor, which struck those who got to know him, belying the sternness of his public visage with his playful banter and frequent chuckle.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sternness
severity
Noun
-
Following the tornado watch, the weather service issued several severe thunderstorm warnings Tuesday evening, each varying in timeframe and potential severity.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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Their targets appeared overwhelmed by the speed and severity of the offensive.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sternness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternness. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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