STERN Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'stern' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stern are ascetic , austere , and severe . While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character. // stern arbiters of public morality

Q: Where would 'ascetic' be a reasonable alternative to 'stern'?

In some situations, the words ascetic and stern are roughly equivalent. However, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline. // the ascetic life of the monks

Q: When can 'austere' be used instead of 'stern'?

The meanings of austere and stern largely overlap; however, austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial. // living an austere life in the country

Q: When is 'severe' a more appropriate choice than 'stern'?

While the synonyms severe and stern are close in meaning, severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness. // severe military discipline

stern 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstərn

Definition of stern

as in strict

given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stern

2 of 2

noun

as in beam

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stern contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stern are ascetic, austere, and severe. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Where would ascetic be a reasonable alternative to stern?

In some situations, the words ascetic and stern are roughly equivalent. However, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When can austere be used instead of stern?

The meanings of austere and stern largely overlap; however, austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

When is severe a more appropriate choice than stern?

While the synonyms severe and stern are close in meaning, severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stern

Adjective

Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a stern warning about the global spread of antisemitism in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at his Jerusalem residence. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Now, it’s located near the vessel’s stern deck to reduce the distance water samples travel once extracted from the sea. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

Hudson went on to speak about the depth of the water in the area where their boat was, saying that towards the stern, the water was about waist-deep, but towards the bow, the water was deeper. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 Outdoor space is ample on Decks 7 and 8, with viewing platforms in front of the bridge and at the stern of the ship on Deck 6. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern

Adjective

YouTube was the holdout, and its stricter definition was one reason a YouTube view carried a premium in creator pricing conversations.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
However, there are strict limits on how long most negative information can be reported.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of strict

Adjective

His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Pangan remembers of Brun, imitating his gruff voice, and shaking her head.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruff

Noun

However, when the collaboration turned on the experiment, researchers found that the beam did not meet specifications.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
The rear wheels are now connected by a rigid beam, and the differential is mounted directly to the frame rather than the axle as on previous trikes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of beam

Adjective

The island’s very existence—a prosperous, democratic Chinese society integrated with the West—offers a stinging rebuke to the claim that authoritarian rule is uniquely suited to the Chinese people.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
The reason is that protesters fear that the Republic of Georgia will continue following an authoritarian path similar to Russia’s, crushing their hopes and dreams of being another Western-style democracy that is a member of NATO and the EU.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

Pittsburgh Penguins fans never stop traveling for road games, even when times are grim.

— Josh Yohe, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Lee wanted to get back on stage from the moment the band said goodbye in August of 2015, but confirming the tour meant many months of grim-faced work.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of grim

Adjective

Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Cite this Entry

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“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stern

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of stern

adjective

noun

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Phrases Containing stern

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stern

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