"sternly criticize" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey a strong disapproval or reprimand of someone or something. Example: The boss sternly criticized the employee for repeatedly arriving late to work.
He sternly criticizes progressives for not taking their opponents' full measure.
In 2008, Mr. Halloran sternly criticized the city's Buildings Department after it cited him for building a bathroom in the basement of his home without obtaining the required permits.
The state board sternly criticized tentative agreements Mr. Gulotta had reached with three unions for county police officers, detectives and correction officers.
The incursions were sternly criticized by Washington, which has tried to keep the Israeli-Palestinian conflict out of the limelight while it pursues its campaign in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that China would continue to help the European Union recover from its economic crisis even as he sternly criticized the bloc for maintaining an embargo on weapons sales to his country.
BRUSSELS — Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that China would continue to help the European Union recover from its economic crisis even as he sternly criticized the bloc for maintaining an embargo on weapons sales to his country.
Two days after Gov. George E. Pataki declared that he opposed any significant increase in property taxes as part of Nassau County's fiscal solution, the state comptroller sternly criticized his stance yesterday.
Mr. Murdoch's original post, written in the context of the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, asked, "Why is Jewish owned press so consistently anti-Israel in every crisis?" He followed up to write: " 'Jewish owned press' have been sternly criticized, suggesting link to Jewish reporters.
KABUL, Afghanistan -- A spokesman for the international coalition of forces in Afghanistan sought to create some distance on Tuesday from the remarks of a departing American general, who sternly criticized Pakistan for failing to cooperate on border security earlier in the week.
