Stern: meaning, example and synonyms
Sternadj. Serious, strict, and unyielding in manner or attitude.
Example
The conductor's stern glance silenced the whispering violinists at once, and the rehearsal resumed without another word.
- Part of speech
- adjective
- Synonyms
- strict, severe, austere, rigid
- Antonyms
- lenient, gentle, indulgent, easygoing
- Memory tip
- A STERN look can STOP a room cold.
Stern is in batch 15. Study it with the rest of the batch, then pass the batch quiz to learn it. No account needed; progress is saved on this device.
Check yourself: Stern in context
The headmistress was known for her ______ discipline: she tolerated no lateness, no excuses, and no talking once the bell had rung.
Answer: stern. Tolerating no lateness or excuses is strict, unyielding discipline: stern. Quirky (oddly unusual), prophetic (predictive) and tractable (easily managed) don't fit this context.
With an unsmiling, ______ reminder that the deadline would not be extended, the editor sent the reporters back to their desks to finish their stories.
Answer: stern. An unsmiling, unyielding reminder is stern. Prophetic (predictive), onerous (burdensome) and tractable (easily managed) don't fit this context.