Word
stern
Being stern means having a serious and strict manner, or being unyielding and difficult.
Meanings
(of a person or their manner) serious and strict, showing little or no humor, and often demanding obedience or respect.
(of a task, rule, situation, or judgment) difficult, severe, or unyielding, requiring great effort or strict adherence.
Definition
When a person or their manner is stern, they are very serious and show little or no humor, often appearing strict and demanding. It can also describe a situation, task, or rule that is particularly severe, difficult, or uncompromising. A stern attitude or challenge implies a lack of leniency or softness, requiring firm resolution or strict adherence.
Examples
- The principal gave a stern warning to the students about the school's new behavior policy.
- Her father had a stern look on his face when he heard about the late-night party.
- The company faced a stern challenge to complete the complex project within the tight deadline.
- He spoke in a stern, clear voice, leaving no doubt about his expectations.
- Despite the stern discipline from their coach, the team eventually bonded and found success.
Common mistake
A common mistake is using 'stern' interchangeably with 'angry'; while a stern person might be serious or displeased, 'stern' primarily implies seriousness and firmness rather than necessarily anger.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.