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View synonyms for

stern

1

[sturn]

adjective

sterner, sternest 
  1. firm, strict, or uncompromising.

    stern discipline.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. hard, harsh, or severe.

    a stern reprimand.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
  3. rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character.

    stern times.

  4. grim or forbidding in aspect.

    a stern face.



stern

2

[sturn]

noun

  1. the after or rear part of a vessel (often opposed to bow orstem ).

    The ship's stern was a glory of brightly painted carved figures of knights and mythical beasts.

  2. the back or rear of anything.

  3. Astronomy.Stern, the constellation Puppis.

  4. Fox Hunting.the tail of a hound.

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to be the person paddling, steering, working, etc., at the rear of (a vessel).

    When you're bird-watching, it's much better to be paddling up front than sterning the canoe.

  2. to propel or steer (a vessel) with the after or rear part leading.

    We pulled up to the dock 15 minutes later and managed to stern in before dark.

Stern

3

[sturn]

noun

  1. Isaac, 1920–2001, U.S. violinist, born in Russia.

  2. Otto, 1888–1969, U.S. physicist, born in Germany: Nobel Prize 1943.

stern-

4
  1. variant of sterno- before a vowel.

    sternite.

stern

1

/ ɜː /

adjective

  1. showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian

  2. lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe

  3. relentless; unyielding

    the stern demands of parenthood

  4. having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

stern

2

/ ɜː /

noun

  1. the rear or after part of a vessel, opposite the bow or stem

  2. the rear part of any object

  3. the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as the foxhound or beagle

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. relating to or located at the stern

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Stern

3

/ ɜː /

noun

  1. Isaac. 1920–2001, US concert violinist, born in (what is now) Ukraine

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • sternly adverb
  • sternness noun
  • ˈٱԲԱ noun
  • ˈٱԱ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stern1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne

Origin of stern2

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sterne, probably from Old Norse ō “steering” ( sternpost )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stern1

Old English styrne; related to Old High German ٴǰŧ to alarm, Latin ٱ stubborn, Greek stereos hard

Origin of stern2

C13: from Old Norse ō steering; see steer 1
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Idioms and Phrases

see from soup to nuts (stem to stern).
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Synonym Study

Stern, severe, harsh agree in referring to methods, aspects, manners, or facial expressions. Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent. Severe implies strictness, lack of sympathy, and a tendency to impose a hard discipline on others: a severe judge. Harsh suggests a great severity and roughness, and cruel, unfeeling treatment of others: a harsh critic.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Shortly before the curfew took effect, Bass joined an array of faith leaders in Grand Park to call for stern,but “nonviolent,” resistance to President Trump’s immigration sweeps.

From

They face their sternest challenge yet under their former captain on Monday when they travel to Brussels to face the group's top seeds.

From

"The hull starboard was scratched and a certain amount of seawater flowed into the stern section," the agency said.

From

“And I walked over and he had a very stern demeanor. Great guy, but he just always looked angry and he said, ‘You’re playing around on set.’

From

The “Training Day” star can be seen pointing his finger at the photographer and appears to give him a stern warning.

From

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Sterlitamaksternal