stern

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.

There was the neatly coiffed hair, the nicely fitting suit, the smartly positioned tie, even the painfully stern expression from a guy who left no doubt who was running the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

While the admission likely resulted in some stern emails hitting a manager’s inbox, it’s ultimately refreshing that a star of Damon’s caliber and influence came out and actually said it.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

Hearts were stunned by the sucker punch from Yang, but these guys are made of stern stuff.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

William issues his own stern warnings: Sam must never, ever enter the basement writing “sanctuary” in his remote Maine mansion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

I found Lev in the storage room, overseeing a delivery of linen tachrichim with the same stern solemnity he displayed when tending to corpses.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros