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 Synonyms for sternness
severity
Noun
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In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
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Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Cite this Entry
“Sternness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternness. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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