Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
stern
adjective
/stɜrn/
Definition
Strict and serious in manner or attitude.
Examples
- The teacher’s stern look made the students quiet down immediately.
- He took a stern approach to discipline at home.
- The judge’s stern words warned the defendant of the consequences.
Meaning
Stern describes someone who is serious and often unyielding. It can refer to a person’s demeanor or to something that is demanding and lacks leniency.
Synonyms
- Severe
- Strict
- Harsh
- Grim
- Unyielding
