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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
Anisimova watched it all from a few feet away, the agony and ecstasy of a cruel game in stark relief.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The comments, just days before the first anniversary of Trump’s near-assassination in Butler, Pa., served as a stark reminder of the lingering impact of the day when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally, grazing Trump’s ear and killing one of his supporters in the crowd.
—Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
The incremental revenue-share structure is a stark contrast compared to other sports leagues.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
What To Know Satellite imagery captured by Landsat 7, a joint mission of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA, show a stark contrast in Lake Mead's water levels between July 1999 and May 2024, with the reservoir appearing noticeably smaller in the latter image.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The comments, just days before the first anniversary of Trump’s near-assassination in Butler, Pa., served as a stark reminder of the lingering impact of the day when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally, grazing Trump’s ear and killing one of his supporters in the crowd.
—Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
The incremental revenue-share structure is a stark contrast compared to other sports leagues.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
What To Know Satellite imagery captured by Landsat 7, a joint mission of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA, show a stark contrast in Lake Mead's water levels between July 1999 and May 2024, with the reservoir appearing noticeably smaller in the latter image.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
While McArthur was being interviewed by investigators, search teams made a grim discovery: a portion of a human skull was found sticking out of the ground, encased in concrete and potting soil.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
19 July 2025
-
The grim task, using strategies including hand-sifting and specific diving techniques, is expected to drag on for months.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
The sheer number of workers who are undocumented immigrants make the effect of widespread raids more pronounced.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
21 July 2025
-
In a picture at a piano, Alexa wore a pink, sheer dress that opened at her stomach, signifying that the couple was expecting a girl.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
18 July 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
-
Padam and Tulsi, whose remote Himalayan village has become increasingly desolate as families migrate to cities, leaving the pair to wonder who will perform their last rites.—
Variety Staff,
Variety,
25 July 2025
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Imagine how desolate the Democrats are that a Democrat running on affordability is an anti-establishment Democrat.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Audiences can often sense the corporate overlords’ gruff hands pushing these previously distinct programs together.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 July 2025
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On the other hand, the 73-year-old Belichick’s gruff persona, with his monosyllabic utterances at news conferences, has become the stuff of legend.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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Accessories were kept simple with large black sunglasses, a black and gold chain shoulder bag, and gold bangles—save for an extra large, wide-brimmed black sun hat.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Soft yet sturdy, linen bags like this are durable enough to hold a laptop, books, and other travel essentials, yet they can be tucked into your pocket when empty.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
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One plan was for an interpretive display, possibly in the empty barns, according to the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Then there is Canada and Greenland’s beef over the uninhabited Hans Island, a barren spit in the Kennedy Channel.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
-
Brown, barren, patchy spots in your lawn can be unsightly.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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