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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of stark
Medrano, 65, represents the stark juxtaposition between tradition and innovation here in this remote part of South Texas.
—
Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
The debate marks a stark divide in city politics over the future of health care for 250,000 retirees.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
What a stark contrast that is from where Minnesota was on opening night.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
That’s a stark turnaround in declines from early last month, when the broad market index briefly entered bear market territory, or a decline of more than 20% from its recent peak.
—Sean Conlon,brian Evans, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
The debate marks a stark divide in city politics over the future of health care for 250,000 retirees.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
What a stark contrast that is from where Minnesota was on opening night.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
That’s a stark turnaround in declines from early last month, when the broad market index briefly entered bear market territory, or a decline of more than 20% from its recent peak.
—Sean Conlon,brian Evans, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
His grim work handling dead sheep gives the movie its title, but little time is actually spent at Stan’s job.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Set in a grim, unnamed American city, Havoc follows a bruised detective, played by Hardy, who must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son, all while unraveling the deep layers of corruption.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, that sheer wash of pigment makes for a great first step in your makeup routine.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2025
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And another lot of shoppers swear by the iconic Clinique Black Honey lipstick, which provides a sheer wash of natural pigment that can be built to a rich berry hue.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
28 Apr. 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 Memphis rapper began the show with dramatics, rising on a giant platform with her back to the audience as a screen behind her projected the image of a desolate street.—
John Lonsdale,
Rolling Stone,
12 Apr. 2025
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The food and atmosphere had people from across the city willing to venture to a desolate stretch of Bushwick.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
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There’s a gruff lyricism to the performance that’s entrancing even when Elmer is standing up in a coffin.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Even something as simple as hanging your own art on the walls or sharing a project online will work.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
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Murder victim's family has been 'counting down the minutes' until South Carolina execution Texas pastor with simple dream killed in his own church.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Consumers have faced empty supermarket shelves and a nearly 90% surge in prices.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 May 2025
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In recent years, K Street has stood out more for its empty storefronts and large number of homeless people than as a vibrant center for activity.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Dike, who has missed much of the last two years with a string of serious injuries, ended his barren spell by scoring for his English Championship club West Bromwich Albion in their 5-3 win over Luton Town on Saturday.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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Without predators to keep them in check, says Laura Rogers-Bennett, a senior environmental scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, urchins devour the base of kelp and can turn towering forests into barren seascapes within a matter of seasons.—
Avery Schuyler Nunn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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