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severe
1 a: strict in judgment, discipline, or government b: of a strict or stern bearing or manner : austere2: rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement : stringent
, restrictive3: strongly critical or condemnatory : censorious <a severe critic>4 a: maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or self-discipline b: establishing exacting standards of accuracy and integrity in intellectual processes <a severe logician>5: sober or restrained in decoration or manner : plain <a severe dress>6 a: inflicting physical discomfort or hardship : harsh <severe winters> b: inflicting pain or distress : grievous <a severe wound>7: requiring great effort : arduous <a severe test>8: of a great degree : serious <severe depression>
— se·vere·ly adverb
— se·vere·ness noun
— se·ver·i·ty
\sə-ˈver-ə-tē\
noun synonyms severe
, stern
, austere
, ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness <severe military discipline>. stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character <stern arbiters of public morality>. austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial <living an austere life in the country>. ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline <the ascetic life of the monks>.
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