Question

stern adj.严厉的,苛刻的 n.船尾 Stern, strict, severe, harsh, unforgiving — they all more or less mean the same thing, which is very tough and exacting, with a little helping of seriousness thrown in for good measure. What does this have to do with the stern of a boat, also known as the rear area? Um, nothing? But it's good to know about that meaning too, since it could come in handy some day when you're giving directions on a ship. ★★☆☆☆ 2006.5

Accepted Answer

[stə:n] You know when you've done something really wrong, and the person who gets you in trouble has that unforgiving look on his face? The best word for that look is stern, meaning "strict" or "severe." It is worrisome that society is medicalizing more and more behavioral problems, often defining as addictions what earlier, sterner generations explained as weakness of will. 1[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](话语或行动)严厉的，严正的 Stern words or actions are very severe. Mr Straw issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence...斯特劳先生向那些坚持进行暴力活动的人发出了严正警告。He said stern measures would be taken against the killers...他说将严惩凶手。Michael gave the dog a stern look.迈克尔狠狠瞪了那只狗一眼。sternly'We will take the necessary steps,' she said sternly.“我们将采取必要措施，”她厉声说道。2[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](人)严厉的，严格的，苛刻的 Someone who is stern is very serious and strict. Her father was stern and hard to please.她父亲很苛刻，让他满意很难。3[N-COUNT 可数名词]船尾；艉部 from stem to stern The stern of a boat is the back part of it. →see: stem； 4[PHRASE 短语](人)性格坚强的，坚忍的 If you say that someone is made of sterner stuff, you mean that they have a strong personality and are capable of overcoming difficulties and problems. Whoever this woman is, she's made of sterner stuff than I am.不管这个女人是谁，她都比我坚强。

英语单词	stern
英美音标	[stə:n]
中文释义	adj.严厉的,苛刻的 n.船尾
vocab简明	You know when you've done something really wrong, and the person who gets you in trouble has that unforgiving look on his face? The best word for that look is stern, meaning "strict" or "severe."
vocab扩展	Stern, strict, severe, harsh, unforgiving — they all more or less mean the same thing, which is very tough and exacting, with a little helping of seriousness thrown in for good measure. What does this have to do with the stern of a boat, also known as the rear area? Um, nothing? But it's good to know about that meaning too, since it could come in handy some day when you're giving directions on a ship.
真题原句	It is worrisome that society is medicalizing more and more behavioral problems, often defining as addictions what earlier, sterner generations explained as weakness of will.
柯林斯星级	★★☆☆☆
柯林斯解释	1 [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](话语或行动)严厉的，严正的 Stern words or actions are very severe. Mr Straw issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence... 斯特劳先生向那些坚持进行暴力活动的人发出了严正警告。 He said stern measures would be taken against the killers... 他说将严惩凶手。 Michael gave the dog a stern look. 迈克尔狠狠瞪了那只狗一眼。 sternly 'We will take the necessary steps,' she said sternly. “我们将采取必要措施，”她厉声说道。 2 [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](人)严厉的，严格的，苛刻的 Someone who is stern is very serious and strict. Her father was stern and hard to please. 她父亲很苛刻，让他满意很难。 3 [N-COUNT 可数名词]船尾；艉部 from stem to stern The stern of a boat is the back part of it. →see: stem ； 4 [PHRASE 短语](人)性格坚强的，坚忍的 If you say that someone is made of sterner stuff, you mean that they have a strong personality and are capable of overcoming difficulties and problems. Whoever this woman is, she's made of sterner stuff than I am. 不管这个女人是谁，她都比我坚强。
来源	2006.5

Stern Unforgiving Meaning Good Sterner Adj Graded 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词 Made