Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the word "stern." Write one to three sentences explaining your definition.

The author explains that there was only wreckage where the back of the ship should have been. The stern must be in the back of the ship because the text says the stern was missing.

Explanation:

Sample response

Explanation: (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline.

"a smile transformed his stern face"

h

Similar:

serious

unsmiling

frowning

poker-faced

severe

forbidding

grim

unfriendly

somber

grave

sober

austere

dour

stony

flinty

steely

unrelenting

unyielding

unforgiving

unbending

unsympathetic

disapproving

Rhadamanthine

boot-faced

h

Opposite:

genial

friendly

(of an act or statement) strict and severe; using extreme measures or terms.

"stern measures to restrict growth of traffic"

(of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure.

"the past year has been a stern test of the ability of local industry"