starkly
starkly — adverb
1. Describing a contrast, difference, or unpleasant truth so clear and sharp that i
Describing a contrast, difference, or unpleasant truth so clear and sharp that it cannot be overlooked or denied — the gap between two things is plain for everyone to see.
Dr. Ramón's report starkly showed how pollution levels in the river had tripled.
starkly + verb + how-clause
Nkechi's career path is starkly different from her cousins', who stayed in farming.
starkly different from [noun]
Residents saw the gap between the school's rules and its daily practice was starkly obvious.
Padma's opinion on the new policy is starkly at odds with her colleague's view.
- markedly
more neutral; suggests a measurable, noticeable difference
- sharply
emphasises a clear, sudden division between two things
- strikingly
stresses how unusual or surprising the difference is
- clearly
more general and less intense; lacks the force of 'starkly'
文法句型
starkly + adjective
starkly + verb (active/passive)
用法筆記
Commonly collocates with adjectives such as 'different', 'opposed', and 'contrasting'; also common before verbs like 'reveal', 'show', 'illustrate', and 'contrast'.
常見錯誤
2. in a simple and severe way, without any decoration, colour, or attempt to be gen
in a simple and severe way, without any decoration, colour, or attempt to be gentle or friendly
The hospital room was furnished starkly, with only a metal bed and white walls.
starkly modifies a passive verb describing appearance
Asher described the car crash starkly, not sparing any of the ugly details.
starkly modifies a verb of speaking
The walls of Henry's apartment were painted starkly white, with no curtains at all.
The judge warned the teenager starkly about what would happen if he stole again.
文法句型
starkly + adjective
verb + [object] + starkly
verb + starkly
用法筆記
Frequent with passive constructions describing appearance (e.g., 'furnished starkly', 'painted starkly white'); also common with verbs of blunt communication such as 'describe', 'warn', and 'state'.