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sternness

 - 2 dictionary results

stern

1  [sturn] ,
Use sternness in a Sentence
–adjective, -er, -est.
1. firm, strict, or uncompromising: stern discipline.
2. hard, harsh, or severe: a stern reprimand.
3. rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character: stern times.
4. grim or forbidding in aspect: a stern face.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE styrne

Related forms:
sternly, adverb
sternness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. adamant, unrelenting, unsympathetic, cruel, unfeeling. 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 Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent.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.

Antonyms:
1. lenient.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sternness
stern 1   (stûrn)   
adj.   stern·er, stern·est

  1. Hard, harsh, or severe in manner or character: a stern disciplinarian. See Synonyms at severe.

  2. Grim, gloomy, or forbidding in appearance or outlook.

  3. Firm or unyielding; uncompromising.

  4. Inexorable; relentless: stern necessity.


[Middle English sterne, from Old English styrne; see ster-1 in Indo-European roots.]
stern'ly adv., stern'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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