sternness

/ˈstɜːnnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstɜːrnnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /-nnə̇s/ (ame, mw)

sternness — noun

1. a serious and strict way of speaking or behaving that shows disapproval or makes

1.名詞C2
釋義

a serious and strict way of speaking or behaving that shows disapproval or makes other people feel they must obey.

例句

The sternness in Tendai's voice made the boys put their phones away.

pattern: the sternness in [someone's] voice

Eri was frightened by the sternness of the nurse's warning before the operation.

同義詞
  • strictness

    focuses more on enforcing rules than on a disapproving tone or look

  • severity

    stronger and often used for punishments, pain, or difficult conditions

  • harshness

    suggests roughness or unkindness more strongly than sternness does

  • firmness

    more neutral and can sound fair or calm rather than disapproving

反義詞
  • gentleness

    a soft and kind manner instead of a severe one

  • warmth

    shows friendliness and welcome rather than distance or disapproval

文法句型

the sternness in [someone's] voice

the sternness of [someone's] expression

with sternness

用法筆記

Uncountable noun. Often appears in patterns like 'the sternness in her voice' or 'the sternness of his expression'. It usually describes a tone, look, or manner that signals disapproval, rather than rules themselves.

常見錯誤

❌The school rules showed a lot of sternness.
✅The teachers showed a lot of sternness.
💡'sternness' usually describes a person's tone, face, or manner, not rules by themselves.
❌She spoke with stern.
✅She spoke with sternness.
💡After the preposition 'with', use the noun form, not the adjective.