1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
That’s the stark warning from Cofense’s Chance Caldwell, who leads the cybersecurity firm’s phishing defense unit.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In his speech, Wulff issued a stark warning about the current global political situation.
—Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman, who endorsed Trump last year, offered a stark warning Sunday that tariffs would cause the economy to collapse while hurting Trump supporters the most.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
The atmosphere was mostly optimistic throughout Monday — a stark contrast from last season at the Oakland Coliseum, when fans regularly protested and had explicit chants for A’s owner John Fisher.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In his speech, Wulff issued a stark warning about the current global political situation.
—Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman, who endorsed Trump last year, offered a stark warning Sunday that tariffs would cause the economy to collapse while hurting Trump supporters the most.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
The atmosphere was mostly optimistic throughout Monday — a stark contrast from last season at the Oakland Coliseum, when fans regularly protested and had explicit chants for A’s owner John Fisher.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
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While in jail, Dean bonds with Zoro, a grim and mysterious teenage prisoner serving time for murder.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Americans hold more favorable views of Republicans than Democrats, even as favorability remains grim across the board, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But sheer athleticism won’t turn him into a celebrity, and his demeanor doesn’t endear him to people—Majors plays Maddox as a sullen and tightly wound outcast whose environment shapes his isolation.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2025
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But the sheer volume of options in our modern world—especially in digital spheres such as online shopping, streaming services and mobile applications—can overcome the satisfaction of making these choices.—
Uriel Maslansky,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.—
Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani,
The Dial,
25 Mar. 2025
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That quality is maintained first and foremost by a desolate whistling-wind sound effect in the background of all the scenes, along with a sustained droning musical score.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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But an attack can be much simpler — and can stop once a user has given away their credentials.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the schedule is also noticeably empty toward the backend of the trip.—
Andrew Carey,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
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But Smith is quick to point out that the facility won’t just sit empty between private driving days.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Charlie Parker’s Favorite Painting (1946) indicates Abercrombie’s engagement with social issues: a yellow noose, nearly fluorescent against a dishwater sky, dangles from a barren tree—an oblique lament from the doggedly antiracist Abercrombie.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Mass Effect's core loop doesn't benefit from huge barren landscapes that are devoid of detail.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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