46
harsh(adjective, mean, hard, tough, easy)
43
severe(adjective, appearance, mean, hard, tough)
36
rigid(adjective, hard, tough, easy, severe)
35
hard(adjective, person, mean, tough, easy)
34
austere(adjective, appearance, hard, tough, severe)
33
strict(adjective, hard, tough, easy, severe)
32
grim(adjective, person, appearance, mean, tough)
25
rigorous(adjective, hard, tough, severe, rough)
24
cruel(adjective, person, appearance, mean, hard)
22
tough(adjective, hard, easy, severe, rough)
21
inflexible(adjective, hard, tough, severe, rough)
19
inexorable(adjective, appearance, mean, severe, harsh)
19
stringent(adjective, hard, tough, severe, rough)
19
uncompromising(adjective, severe, rough, harsh, determined)
19
adamant(adjective, mean, hard, rough, firm)
18
unsympathetic(adjective, person, mean, tough, severe)
18
unyielding(adjective, appearance, mean, hard, easy)
16
firm(noun, adjective, hard, tough, severe)
16
relentless(adjective, appearance, mean, severe, harsh)
15
unrelenting(adjective, appearance, mean, tough, severe)
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APASmart Define. (2016). stern thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/stern/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "stern thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/stern/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, stern thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/stern/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "stern thesaurus" 24 March 2016. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/stern/thesaurus/synonyms>