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
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Recent Examples of stern
Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Guardiola was always a stern taskmaster with Sane, never overly praising him and often reeling back giddy reporters keen to hype the German star.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2025
The wreck was discovered broken into two parts, with the bow in U.S. waters and the stern in Canadian waters.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz, nonetheless, issued a stern warning.
—Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Guardiola was always a stern taskmaster with Sane, never overly praising him and often reeling back giddy reporters keen to hype the German star.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Iconic characters featured in the myths, legends, fairy tales, and fantasies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Disney Parks are found throughout the ship in new and fun ways, including a larger-than-life sculpture of Spider-Man on the stern.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2025
The wreck was discovered broken into two parts, with the bow in U.S. waters and the stern in Canadian waters.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
Freezer operations typically require specialized protective gear, shorter shifts, and strict exposure limits, all of which drive higher labor costs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The GranSport 38 can host up to 12 guests across five cabins (as well as room for seven crew), including a full-beam owner’s suite that opens up to the water.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The energy output is designed to remain stable down to –50 degrees Celsius, supporting reliable operation in some of the harshest climates on Earth, reports InsideEVs.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Rapinchuk recommends only using non-toxic products when cleaning your refrigerator and avoiding anything with harsh chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the fiercest storms in the South were reported near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds from a thunderstorm overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float, damaged an airport jet bridge and flung the metal awning from a house into power lines.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
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There’s Manny, Zitzs and EZ, who has a way with the girls; Izzy, an abused boy who hides his family’s secrets, and Gloria, as good at sports as the boys and so fierce nobody teases her little sister about her stutter.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, diaspora activists may advocate positions that resonate with Western audiences, but find little support among those actually living under authoritarian rule.—
Michael Paarlberg,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
County public health officials painted a grim picture of what life looks like for the poorest and sickest residents if new money doesn’t flow into the system.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Reddit boards hosting discussions of the case offer grim evidence of the concession.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Most importantly, Alvarado relishes in his role as a tough-nosed, point-of-attack defender, an area the Knicks have had trouble despite building a roster with notable defenders across all positions.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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With a durable and tough rubber sole featuring Vibram's TC5+ technology, each step offers the right amount of flex and resistance for a comfortable hiking experience.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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