Definitions

stern

[sturn] / stɜrn /

ADJECTIVE

serious, authoritarian

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flinty grim hard-nosed harsh rigid steely strict tough

STRONG

ascetic astringent bitter forbidding rough

WEAK

austere bullheaded by the book cruel disciplinary dyed-in-the-wool frowning hang-tough hard hard-boiled hard-core hard-line hard-shell hardheaded implacable inexorable inflexible mortified mulish relentless rigorous severe stiff-necked stubborn unrelenting unsparing unyielding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy flexible gentle kind lenient nice soft yielding

STRONG

bland mild

WEAK

cheerful funny light smiling tolerant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 2008, he spoke to Stern again about Simpson, saying he wanted to put him on The Apprentice.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Joost van Dreunen, a professor of games business at NYU Stern, argues that unlike books, films or music, many games are built around communities and online interaction.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

This one comes from my former colleague, personal tech guru Joanna Stern.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

On this week’s Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern dive into the legal battle over mifepristone, the medication that can be used for abortion care.

From Slate • May 21, 2026

“You stay away from him,” my father said, doing his best Stern Dad voice.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Vocabulary lists containing stern

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