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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 That’s the stark warning from Cofense’s Chance Caldwell, who leads the cybersecurity firm’s phishing defense unit. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 In his speech, Wulff issued a stark warning about the current global political situation. Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman, who endorsed Trump last year, offered a stark warning Sunday that tariffs would cause the economy to collapse while hurting Trump supporters the most. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025 The atmosphere was mostly optimistic throughout Monday — a stark contrast from last season at the Oakland Coliseum, when fans regularly protested and had explicit chants for A’s owner John Fisher. Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
  • In April, 2004, Phish played a series of exceptionally grim shows in Las Vegas.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And then, as if he’s already relived the moment in question and arrived at the same, grim decision, Joel’s expression hardens.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Characterized by sheer white tones with a glossy finish, the milky nail look supplies a more natural look.
    Taylor Anderson, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • In addition, the sheer number of new projects is overwhelming power system operators’ ability to evaluate them, leading to increasing wait times for new generation to come online.
    Erin Baker, The Conversation, 14 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
  • Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.
    Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani, The Dial, 25 Mar. 2025
  • That quality is maintained first and foremost by a desolate whistling-wind sound effect in the background of all the scenes, along with a sustained droning musical score.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Asked who’d buy these gold cards during an Oval Office meeting with reporters in February, Trump had a simple answer.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Its second life on streaming has guided new viewers to the simple charms of one of the best mystery shows of all time.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Imagine nearly every seat in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center − over 20,000 seats − are empty.
    Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On a rainy morning, the restaurant, made up of a few four-seat tables leading to the stage area, was mostly empty.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Charlie Parker’s Favorite Painting (1946) indicates Abercrombie’s engagement with social issues: a yellow noose, nearly fluorescent against a dishwater sky, dangles from a barren tree—an oblique lament from the doggedly antiracist Abercrombie.
    Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Mass Effect's core loop doesn't benefit from huge barren landscapes that are devoid of detail.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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