C2 severe, or showing disapproval嚴厲的,苛刻的
a stern look/warning/voice嚴厲的目光/警告/語氣
She is her own sternest critic.她對自己非常苛刻。
Journalists received a stern warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.記者們受到嚴厲警告,不得靠近軍艦。
If something, such as a job, is stern, it is difficult.(工作等)嚴峻的,棘手的
The country's president is facing the sternest test of his authority since he came to power five years ago.總統的權威正面臨着上任5年以來最嚴峻的考驗。