59 entries under persistent topic. ×

36
rigid(adjective, hard, tough, easy, severe)
32
grim(adjective, person, appearance, mean, tough)
24
cruel(adjective, person, appearance, mean, hard)
19
inexorable(adjective, appearance, mean, severe, harsh)
18
unyielding(adjective, appearance, mean, hard, easy)
16
firm(noun, adjective, hard, tough, severe)
16
relentless(adjective, appearance, mean, severe, harsh)
14
exacting(adjective, hard, tough, easy, severe)
14
demanding(adjective, hard, easy, severe, rough)
12
implacable(adjective, appearance, mean, harsh, terrible)
11
steadfast(adjective, resolute, rigid, strict)
9
determined(adjective, resolute, rigid, obstinate)
9
ruthless(adjective, appearance, mean, hard, severe)
9
unsparing(adjective, tough, severe, firm, harsh)
6
merciless(adjective, person, appearance, mean, hard)
6
set(adjective, tough, severe, firm, honest)
5
hard-line(adjective, hard, tough, severe, rough)
5
intractable(adjective, appearance, terrible, obstinate)
5
iron(adjective, obstinate, insistent, dogged)
5
pitiless(adjective, mean, hard, severe, sharp)
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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>