stark
adjective
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Definition of stark
(Entry 1 of 4)
stark
adverbDefinition of stark (Entry 2 of 4)
Stark
biographical name (1)
, ˈstärk
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Definition of Stark (Entry 3 of 4)
Stark
biographical name (2)
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Definition of Stark (Entry 4 of 4)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for stark
Synonyms: Adjective
austere, dour, fierce, flinty, forbidding, grim, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, steely, stern, ungentle
Antonyms: Adjective
benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender
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Examples of stark in a Sentence
Adjective
The room was decorated with stark simplicity. the stark reality of death This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving. There is a stark difference between them. His criticism of the movie stands in stark contrast to the praise it has received from others.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Equally, and in stark contrast to fires in grassland ecosystems, the carbon released by the fires will take decades to be re-absorbed, meaning forest fires have a huge impact on global emissions. — Colin Beale, Quartz Africa, "Scientists say comparing the Amazon rainforest fires to burning grasslands in Africa is misleading," 31 Aug. 2019 Aerial images, which may only show a sliver of the amount of forest lost, showcase the stark contrast of what used to stand there, and what the essential rainforest is being replaced with. — Johnny Simon, Quartz, "These aerial photos show the destruction of the Amazon fires," 30 Aug. 2019 The number is a stark contrast to the 111 total who were requested to turn in their plates in 2018. — Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, "New Hampshire Mom Fighting to Keep Her Longtime Vanity License Plate That Reads 'PB4WEGO'," 29 Aug. 2019 His posture stands in stark contrast to chief executive Lam, whose chiding and intransigence have only enraged the youth. — Matt Bradley, NBC News, "As Hong Kong protests turn violent, one man fights to preserve middle ground," 24 Aug. 2019 The Cambridge's flight choice comes as a stark contrast to the several recent private plane rides taken by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which have drawn the attention of critics who have blasted the young couple for being hypocritical. — Laura Hanrahan, Woman's Day, "Prince William and Kate Middleton Flew On Budget Airline After Blowback Over Harry and Megan's Private Jet Use," 23 Aug. 2019 In some areas, pastel-colored, historic shophouse rows stood in stark contrast to the surrounding modern buildings with their stunning architectural designs. — Doug Hansen, chicagotribune.com, "Beautifully modern Singapore," 20 Aug. 2019 The spontaneity and naiveté of their relationship stand in stark contrast to Urs’ agonizing, almost secretive amorous rapport with Nicole (Katrin Roever), who is his assistant at his practice and who is still married to someone else. — Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Voluntary Year' ('Das freiwillige Jahr'): Film Review | Locarno 2019," 15 Aug. 2019 The most memorable bedrooms are also a stark contrast from one another. — Ilana Kaplan, Curbed, "Why we’re obsessed with the TV teen bedroom," 14 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
But the climactic sequence of Midsommar features one of the last surviving Americans running stark naked across the noonday greensward with nobody obviously chasing him. — Ross Douthat, National Review, "Midsommar Casts a Transfixing Scandinavian Spell," 25 July 2019 Around the turn of the last century, our place, which is now surrounded by woods, sat stark on a bald hilltop with nary a tree in sight. — Vogue, "3 Writers On Living Sustainably In 2018," 21 June 2018 Kruger’s stark, carefully laid out design cleverly turns the façade of an innocuous strip-building into the memory of a Greek temple, the classical style in which art museums were once conventionally built. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Artist Barbara Kruger turns a bland building into a screaming statement. Time to listen up," 14 June 2018 Joslyn Gray is the author of the humor blog stark. raving. — Joslyn Gray, Redbook, "Parental Peer Pressure: A Game I Cannot Win," 12 Mar. 2012 But the climactic sequence of Midsommar features one of the last surviving Americans running stark naked across the noonday greensward with nobody obviously chasing him. — Ross Douthat, National Review, "Midsommar Casts a Transfixing Scandinavian Spell," 25 July 2019 Around the turn of the last century, our place, which is now surrounded by woods, sat stark on a bald hilltop with nary a tree in sight. — Vogue, "3 Writers On Living Sustainably In 2018," 21 June 2018 Kruger’s stark, carefully laid out design cleverly turns the façade of an innocuous strip-building into the memory of a Greek temple, the classical style in which art museums were once conventionally built. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Artist Barbara Kruger turns a bland building into a screaming statement. Time to listen up," 14 June 2018 Joslyn Gray is the author of the humor blog stark. raving. — Joslyn Gray, Redbook, "Parental Peer Pressure: A Game I Cannot Win," 12 Mar. 2012These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stark.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.