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.

History serves as a stern reminder that key straits have always been used for leverage.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Warren Goldstein, chief rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa, used the occasion to deliver a stern reply to Pope Leo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

As she handed over the decks to DJ Shaw, Landry’s stern visage eased into a blissful smile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

American presidents have issued stern warnings to the country’s adversaries before.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

I’m only joking around, but Yolanda gets a stern expression like I’m one of her little brothers or sisters acting up.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

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