stern
adjective
firm, strict, or uncompromising.
sternness
-
a word derived from
stern.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Dierksheide and Mr. Guyatt review Jefferson’s anxieties and plans with the sternness of auditors rooting out unauthorized deductions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
It was a hint of the sternness of the ideas that became his hallmark, if not his personality, which his friends described as gentle.
From Salon ● Nov. 14, 2024
In contrast to Usyk's sternness, a playful Fury sang and danced to Bonnie Tyler's 'Holding Out For A Hero'.
From BBC ● May 18, 2024
Pope John Paul II, who was beloved both for his kindness and his sternness, confronted an American church shaped by decades of progressive change.
From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2024
As soon as we were done, his face resumed its sternness.
From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
