stern(严厉的,严峻的)的比较级形式;
例句:
The police are planning sterner measures to combat crime.
警方正制订更严厉的措施打击犯罪活动。
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。
Ann, made of sterner stuff than I, refused all offers of help.
安比我性格坚强,她拒绝一切帮助。