Synonyms of stark

stark

adjective

ˈstärk 

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

• grim
• gruff
• fierce
• stern
• bleak
• rugged
• intimidating
• severe
• forbidding
• hostile
• rough
• austere
• dour
• steely
• somber
• dark
• cold
• flinty
• lowering
• hardened
• louring
• ungentle
• black
• stubborn
• moody
• solemn
• resolute
• unflinching
• inhospitable
• stiff
• adamant
• steadfast
• uncompromising
• unrelenting
• unsympathetic
• unfriendly
• purposeful
• rigid
• bound
• determined
• inimical
• implacable
• resolved
• sombre
• serious
• wilful
• intent
• unyielding
• willful
• unbending
• gloomy
• obdurate
• cheerless
• sullen
• fixed
• hard
• melancholy
• firm
• morose
• obstinate
• inflexible
• glum
• unchangeable
• melancholic
• immovable
• immutable
• joyless
• brooding
• unsmiling
• sober
• hardheaded
• set
• surly
• sulky
• grave
• staid
• humorless
• mulish
• weighty
• ironhanded
• self-willed
• sobersided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• gentle
• benign
• soft
• bland
• quiet
• tender
• easy
• soothing
• meek
• mellow
• benignant
• bright
• tranquil
• sweet
• pleasant
• cheerful
• pleasing
• agreeable
• nonintimidating
• inviting
• sunny
• happy
• merry
• glad
• lighthearted
• silly
• playful
• mirthful
• frivolous
• goofy
• giddy
• scatterbrained
• flighty
• harebrained
• featherbrained
• light-headed

2

as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions

the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheer
• simple
• utter
• unconditional
• absolute
• pure
• complete
• definite
• total
• very
• profound
• outright
• damned
• damn
• real
• perfect
• huge
• deadly
• downright
• categorical
• dreadful
• blank
• unmitigated
• endless
• thoroughgoing
• unadulterated
• clean
• thorough
• categoric
• constant
• crashing
• regular
• unqualified
• flat
• fair
• consummate
• plumb
• flat-out
• horrible
• straight-out
• genuine
• blooming
• unalloyed
• dead
• out-and-out
• terrible
• stone
• extreme
• eternal
• bodacious
• all-out
• perpetual
• arrant
• rank
• unremitting
• veritable
• classic
• authentic
• main
• extraordinary
• hopeless
• undying
• supreme
• terrific
• unrestricted
• frightful
• habitual
• confirmed
• superlative
• inveterate
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• questionable
• doubtful
• restricted
• dubious
• qualified
• equivocal

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

• devoid
• empty
• barren
• bare
• blank
• clean
• vacuous
• vacant
• void
• drained
• hollow
• clear
• toom
• open
• emptied
• deserted
• available
• uninhabited
• dry
• unfilled
• unfurnished
• free
• unoccupied
• depleted
• forsaken
• unattended
• vacated
• abandoned
• exhausted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• full
• complete
• replete
• provided
• furnished
• filled
• supplied
• occupied
• packed
• flush
• overflowing
• teeming

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

• desolate
• barren
• bleak
• impoverished
• poor
• waste
• hardscrabble
• bony
• unproductive
• unfertile
• infertile
• dry
• desert
• boney
• lifeless
• dead
• inhospitable
• thirsty
• drained
• reduced
• diminished
• arid
• exhausted
• consumed
• depleted
• untillable
• sere
• uncultivable
• enfeebled
• debilitated
• spent
• lessened
• droughty
• waterless
• sunbaked
• sear
• rainless
• expended
• parched
• baked
• dehydrated
• dried-up
• used up
• bankrupted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rich
• fertile
• productive
• lush
• fruitful
• luxuriant
• green
• arable
• verdant
• tillable
• sylvan

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

• spartan
• austere
• simple
• unadorned
• no-frills
• plain
• undecorated
• unfancy
• unelaborate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• luxurious
• plush
• deluxe
• luxe
• elaborate
• fancy
• Lucullan
• decorated
• adorned
• Lucullian

Examples of stark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trends that emerged in the post-Covid labor market, from quiet quitting to heated disputes over return-to-work policies, laid bare a stark reality: Many employees are dissatisfied with the experience their jobs offer. —Harvard Business Review, 20 Oct. 2024

This is all particularly noticeable because Manheim, Olivas, and Fritz are such a stark contrast, brimming with rock star energy and live-wire rage. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024

The report presents a stark and sobering picture of how far the city is from solving its most pressing problem, according to homelessness experts who reviewed the report at The Times’ request. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

Unfortunately, the news is bittersweet as AEW’s increase in revenue comes in stark contrast to its poor key performance indicators (KPI) in viewership and ticket sales. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing stark

• stark naked