starkly

American  

[stahrk-lee] / ˈstɑrk li /

adverb

1. in a harsh, grim, or desolate way.

   Working in the slums confronted us starkly with the sufferings of others.

2. extremely simply, sparely, or austerely.

   Even in wealthier households, bedrooms were starkly furnished, with just a bed and perhaps a chair and a small table.

3. in a blunt or sternly plain way, without softening.

   To put it more starkly, your great-grandmother was a common criminal.

4. in a way that is highly contrastive; distinctly or sharply.

   The case presents two starkly different views of mobile device targeting by advertisers.

5. completely or utterly; downright.

   We both know that it's starkly impossible to hide an operation as big as that from a spy system as good as theirs.

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Etymology

Origin of starkly

First recorded before 900; stark ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Explanation

Starkly describes something that's absolutely, undeniably clear. Because Harry Potter's skin was so pale, his lightning bolt scar stood out starkly against his forehead. The adverb starkly is good for talking about things that are visually severe or harsh, like the silhouette of a crow that stands starkly against the gray sky. You can also use it for a more figurative kind of harshness: "The Australian wildfires starkly illustrate the effects of climate change." We can trace this word back to a root (which it shares with stern) that means "stiff."

Example Sentences

The two sides released starkly different accounts of the proposed agreement, with Tehran insisting on its right to enrich uranium and maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The contest offers voters two starkly different politicians.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Unlike traditional horror that mixes dark visuals with jump scares, in “Backrooms” the long hallways and blind corners are starkly lighted and terror builds slowly.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Most weather forecast models show that respite will begin next weekend and more starkly into next week.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Haunted, haggard, somewhere beyond hopeless, it suggested starkly that he no longer believed in himself.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown