- serious and often showing that you do not approve of somebody/something; expecting somebody to obey you synonym strict
- a stern face/expression/look
- a stern warning
- Her voice was stern.
- The police are planning sterner measures to combat crime.
Extra Examples- He quickly became notorious for his stern management.
- Her mother appeared, looking very stern.
- His voice was suddenly stern.
- She always seemed to have the same stern expression on her face.
- There was a hint of a smile on his usually rather stern face.
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- serious and difficult
- a stern test of nerves
- We face stern opposition.
Word Originadjective Old English styrne, probably from the West Germanic base of the verb stare.
Idioms
See stern in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionarybe made of sterner stuff
- to have a stronger character and to be more determined in dealing with problems than other people
- Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff.
Check pronunciation:
stern