stern

He was serious, stern, smart, curious, with the hint of whimsy that it takes to soar among the stars with theoretical science and a diplomatic flair with alien races.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

He issued a stern warning, demanding their release.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

Ebola’s rapid advance in Congo, and its appearance elsewhere, has alarmed global health authorities, prompting some to impose stern measures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

After what appears to be a stern challenge against New Zealand in their home summer, Cummins' men then travel to India and defend the Ashes in England next year.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

I stared into her stern face, the fingers of my left hand turning the picture frame around and around in my skirt pocket.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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

Young men in uniforms stood ready there to grab hold of the sterns of the boats when they arrived for the start.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

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

Although the next two games of Scotland's travels have taken on more importance due to world ranking points, the tourists might not face a sterner test than the one they had in northern New Zealand.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2025

She had the same hair and eyes, but looked older and sterner.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

It was probably the sternest test the Americans have faced in the tournament.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

Friday's opener represents the sternest test yet for Yesavage, who will face a Dodgers batting lineup led by Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025

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

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025

The principal nodded slightly but gave his sternest look before asking for one hundred dollars.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty