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
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Recent Examples of stark
The poll displayed a stark divide based on party ID, with just 6% of Democrats approving of how Musk has handled his job compared to 70% of Republicans.
—
Avery Lotz, Axios, 23 Feb. 2025
Those amounts are in stark contrast to the rainfall totals from January.
—Amy Graff, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Both the content and tactics behind the Russian efforts have evolved since the February 24, 2022, invasion, in both subtle and stark ways.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Avery Lotz, Axios, 23 Feb. 2025
Those amounts are in stark contrast to the rainfall totals from January.
—Amy Graff, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Both the content and tactics behind the Russian efforts have evolved since the February 24, 2022, invasion, in both subtle and stark ways.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
In recent months, Israel has brightened a grim geopolitical landscape by battering Iran and its proxies.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The grim anniversary comes with Ukraine facing great uncertainty about its future after President Donald Trump pivoted toward Russia and US officials insisted that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its defense.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As for throwback hits, Barbra Streisand’s sheer jumpsuit by Arnold Scaasi, worn in 1969, is proof that having fun on the carpet always wins, as does Salma Hayek’s Armani look in 1997, complete with a tiara.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
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Catch up quick: In the mid-19th century, Crum — a chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York — changed food history out of sheer frustration.—
Delano Massey,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The medication has hallucinogenic effects that alter the perception of sight and sound and cause users to feel devoid from pain and out of control of their surroundings.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
28 Oct. 2023
Adjective
-
In video after video, young people complained about missing their high school graduations and senior proms, of the desolate college campuses that welcomed them and the increasingly precarious economy that waited for them on the other side.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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The work follows two soldiers from opposing nations who are stationed at a shared barrack on a desolate border.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ashanti’s lithe voice perfectly complimented Ja’s gruff vocal tone, providing Murder Inc.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
-
The gruff men are Danny and Kyle McCray, an estranged father and son who’ve been reunited by a medical emergency.—
Elisabeth Egan,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Styled by Dani Levi, Kardashian wore a simple floor-length bodycon gown from Balenciaga Couture.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
17 Feb. 2025
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Its simple style can be dressed up with your best evening wear or paired with casual outfits to be your next wardrobe staple.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But a month after their deaths, the bedroom sat empty.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2025
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That’s enough to fill from almost empty to 80 percent in 18 minutes.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In her first Cowboy Carter teaser during the 2024 Super Bowl, Bey is seen driving a taxi through a barren landscape.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2025
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Is there something about the needy Anja and her ragged child that the barren Isabell responds to?—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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