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
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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
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2025
Fast forward five years and Faris is still trying to find a balance between being a fun, yet stern, mom.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
Wreck 5 sits on a relatively steep slope, with the front of the ship being about 22 feet shallower than the stern.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
Directly to the north of us, beyond a stern and rockbound coast, was the open water of Iceberg Alley and the Labrador Sea.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2025
Fast forward five years and Faris is still trying to find a balance between being a fun, yet stern, mom.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
The superyacht, with its steel-and-aluminum displacement hull and powerful, sweeping look, shows off the yard’s classic Italian flair, thanks to large windows throughout and a slope down toward the stern.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
Wreck 5 sits on a relatively steep slope, with the front of the ship being about 22 feet shallower than the stern.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
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First, monitor how Asian hubs respond to the surprising success of Singapore’s stricter regime - will Hong Kong double down on flexibility or pivot toward stability?—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Some venues, such as London's fabric, encourage a phone-free environment through guidance rather than strict enforcement.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
Noun
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The bedrooms are awash in calming sand tones with dark wood ceiling beams above and the general ambience takes cues from nature.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
7 Apr. 2025
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Omega cleaned concrete and wood out of the arena Saturday so workers can cut steel support beams and let the roof crash down early this week.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
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Never one for details, Trump is now clearly linking the harsh 54% tariffs imposed on China on Tuesday to a TikTok deal.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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November 1911 debacle wasn't Curie's first time in the public eye: the French Academy of Sciences had recently turned down her application to join, a decision which came after months of public debate and fierce criticism of Curie in the press.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise.—
Ian Johnson,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
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The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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But, then, the Warriors aren’t the only tough out in an overloaded Western Conference.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2025
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Even if Denver had that many future second-rounders to offer this summer, doing so two consecutive years would be a tough pill to swallow.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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