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.

“Jeff,” said Mrs. Tracy, glancing over at him with a frown and eyes that were stern and dark.

From Literature

Cerundolo provided a sterner test in the second set as he broke Draper's serve in the opening game.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

I was met with such a stern look from Auntie that my words stopped of their own accord.

From Literature

The Islamic Republic's system faces its sternest test.

From BBC