1. A bare, bleak, or severely plain environment; surroundings that are devoid of decoration, comfort, or natural features
The prisoner was confined to a cell with stark surroundings, nothing but concrete walls.
O prisioneiro foi confinado em uma cela com arredores áridos, apenas paredes de concreto.
2. An environment that is harsh, cold, or uninviting in appearance
The hospital's stark surroundings made patients feel uncomfortable.
Os arredores austeros do hospital deixavam os pacientes desconfortáveis.