Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for stern. Search instead for sternp.
Definitions
Trivia Time
Which nautical term describes the direction toward a ship's stern?

stern

[sturn] / stɜrn /


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.

See Examples For:

On the afternoon of April 13, seafarers in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman heard a stern warning broadcast over marine radio, the primary tool for voice communication between ships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

It’s fair to assume many of us require a stern talking-to, like dogs who need their pills hidden inside the cheese that is Cruise’s Mr. Movies persona.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

Some of his performance is recognizably Hansen: the stern mouth, the snarky catchphrases, the swoop of blond bangs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

The stern and central section appear to have been covered with the same material, while researchers identified three distinct coating batches at the bow.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

The stern woman in the red sweater comes in with a new batch of messages.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Boats have toppled pilings, and hard landings have cracked sterns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Navy said Revolutionary Guard vessels repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of several American ships at close range and high speed in the northern Gulf.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 22, 2020

With the sterns half-ashore, breakers could then cut in and dismantle the ships laterally, as a snacker might eat through a baguette.

From The Guardian ● May 2, 2017

Thousands of office workers rush past it every day without noticing its three bay windows carved as the sterns of baroque frigates, complete with waves, dolphins and trailing seaweed.

From New York Times ● Feb. 27, 2015

They are long, with pointed sterns and elaborately painted bodies.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Wach has lost seven of his past 10 fights and is a significant underdog on paper, but Fury insisted the veteran presents a sterner test than Joshua's opponent, Albanian Prenga.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

With his latest, “Kontinental ’25,” Jude — who also put out a coarsely wacky version of “Dracula” last year — shifts away from clownishness and toward a sterner register of concern for society.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026

Rosenior will face a sterner test in his first home game on Wednesday when Chelsea host Premier League leaders Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg.

From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026

But it remains to be seen whether this president and the country he leads are ready for the sterner tests to come.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025

“Let them come. In me they shall find a sterner foe than Cleon. I would sooner perish fighting than return my children to bondage.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

The blockage in the Persian Gulf poses the sternest test the reserves have ever faced.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

PSG come into the sternest test yet of their European title defence top of the French Ligue 1 and with three wins from three so far in the league phase.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2025

In death penalty cases, the legal system is put to its sternest test.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025

Having moved serenely through the group stage, this was India's sternest test.

From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2025

Even the sternest teachers and the brash older girls with whom you hardly dared to speak smiled at you in a special, knowing way your whole birthday long.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood




Vocabulary lists containing stern


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com