Sternness - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sternness refers to a serious, strict, or severe manner, often showing disapproval or authority. It is used to describe someone’s expression, tone, or behavior when they are firm and uncompromising.
Definition:
The quality of being strict, severe, or uncompromising in manner or attitude.
Synonyms:
severity, harshness, strictness, rigidity
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
leniency, gentleness
Common Collocations:
sternness of voice, sternness in discipline, sternness of expression
Derivatives:
sternly, sterner, sternest
Usage Tips:
Use "sternness" to describe a serious or strict demeanor, often in authority figures like teachers or parents.
Common Phrases:
with sternness in one's voice, a look of sternness, the sternness of his gaze
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "styrne," meaning severe or hard; related to Dutch "stuur" and German "stur."
Examples:
- 1. Her sternness made the students quiet down immediately.
- 2. The captain's sternness ensured the crew followed orders without question.
- 3. His face showed no emotion except for cold sternness.
- 4. Parents sometimes need to balance kindness with sternness when disciplining children.