1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stark
Stay away from stark whites and blacks for this style.
—
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
The Japanese automaker calls this iteration of the C-HR stylish and powerful, which is a stark contrast from the discontinued 2022 model year, based on a vehicle review from Kelley Blue Book.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Fernandes, in stark contrast, has given his best years to a club enduring their worst years.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 May 2025
As Hay playfully commented, the Opry offered a stark contrast to other highbrow programs populating the airwaves, swapping symphonies and arias for jaunty renditions of old Anglo-Celtic, European and African-American ballads played on the fiddle, banjo and guitar.
—Lindsay Kusiak, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
The Japanese automaker calls this iteration of the C-HR stylish and powerful, which is a stark contrast from the discontinued 2022 model year, based on a vehicle review from Kelley Blue Book.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Fernandes, in stark contrast, has given his best years to a club enduring their worst years.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 May 2025
As Hay playfully commented, the Opry offered a stark contrast to other highbrow programs populating the airwaves, swapping symphonies and arias for jaunty renditions of old Anglo-Celtic, European and African-American ballads played on the fiddle, banjo and guitar.
—Lindsay Kusiak, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
The headlines may be grim, but history is generous to those who stay invested.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
His face is grim, lacking the exuberance and devil-may-care attitude visible in earlier paintings.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Most advice about LinkedIn growth focuses on sheer numbers.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Some of music’s biggest names (and harshest critics) have marveled at the sheer range of Darin’s work, which spanned everything from jazz, swing and pop to folk and country.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
The location is on federal land just north of the U.S.-Mexico border along a desolate stretch of the Sonoran Desert about 72 miles south-southwest of Tucson.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
5 May 2025
-
Even the trailers for Superman have echos of the Man of Steel and Batman v Superman trailers, including starting with Superman falling out of the sky into a desolate Arctic area.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
-
Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
As artificial intelligence models grow increasingly sophisticated, their capabilities extend far beyond simple task execution.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
One night at dinner, my daughter whispered to me that the empty bread basket was a bummer.—
Lauren Mechling,
Vogue,
19 May 2025
-
Panthers come up empty on early power plays Minimal action at the net through the first 13 minutes, although Florida did have two power plays — both of which Toronto killed off.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The festival was deliberately planned for the barren weeks in June after college students left and before the summer concert and festival season kicked in.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
-
The Bureau’s new research station on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, with its high altitude and barren landscape, would prove to be the ideal collection spot.—
Ashley Braun,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share