1
a
: rigid in or as if in death
b
: rigidly conforming (as to a pattern or doctrine) : absolute
stark discipline
4
5
: sharply delineated
a stark contrast
starkly
adverb
starkness
noun
1
: in a stark manner
2
: to an absolute or complete degree : wholly
stark naked
stark mad
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
Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
While praised for creating a functional home and workplace, Roosevelt’s overhaul drew flak for discarding the original Victorian interiors in favor of a starker neoclassical style.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2020
But the lack of health insurance, sick pay and other protections for many Americans, including Uber contractors, is stark now.
—Shira Ovide, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for stark
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.
Adjective
The bones offer a stark warning to all those who choose to enter.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
While praised for creating a functional home and workplace, Roosevelt’s overhaul drew flak for discarding the original Victorian interiors in favor of a starker neoclassical style.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The divide is stark between the two categories of states.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2020
But the lack of health insurance, sick pay and other protections for many Americans, including Uber contractors, is stark now.
—Shira Ovide, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for stark
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stark. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stark
1 of 2 adjective1
2
a
: stiff sense 1, motionless
stark in death
b
: inflexible sense 3, strict
stark discipline
3
: sheer entry 1 sense 2a, utter
stark nonsense
4
a
: barren entry 1 sense 2a, desolate
a stark landscape
b
: having few or no ornaments : bare
starkly
adverb
stark
2 of 2 adverb
: wholly, absolutely
stark mad
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share