severe

play

adjective se·vere \ sə-ˈvir \

Definition of severe

severer; severest

1 a :strict in judgment, discipline, or government

b :of a strict or stern bearing or manner :austere

2 :rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement :stringent

3 :strongly critical or condemnatory

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 :causing discomfort or hardship :harsh

severe winters

b :very painful or harmful

a severe wound

7 :requiring great effort :arduous

a severe test

8 :of a great degree

severe depression

—

severely

adverb

—

severeness

noun

—

severity

play \sə-ˈver-ə-tē\ noun

See severe defined for English-language learners

See severe defined for kids

Examples of severe in a Sentence

On Feb. 25 regulators laid out details on how they will run the "stress tests" that Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has promised on the biggest banks. Now those tests, designed to judge whether the banks have the capital to keep lending and absorb losses in a severe recession, face an exam of their own. —Jane Sasseen et al., Business Week, 9 Mar. 2009
A study in February in the journal Lancet, for instance, compared treatments for severe ankle sprains, concluding that a below-the-knee cast is superior to a tubular compression bandage. —Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2009
Between 2000 and 2004 the number of Americans covered by Medicaid rose by a remarkable eight million. Over the same period the ranks of the uninsured rose by six million. So without the growth of Medicaid, the uninsured population would have exploded, and we'd be facing a severe crisis in medical care. —Paul Krugman et al., New York Review of Books, 23 Mar. 2006
As several economists—most notably Jeffrey Williamson, of Harvard University—have written recently, international trade increased dramatically between 1850 and the First World War. Williamson goes on to point out that one consequence of this earlier period of globalization was that governments retreated into policies of severe trade and immigration restrictions. —Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 10 May 1999
The storm caused severe damage to the roof.
The patient is in severe pain.
children with severe learning disabilities
In the most severe cases, the disease can lead to blindness.
He suffered a severe head injury.
He faces severe penalties for his actions.
The war was a severe test of his leadership.

Recent Examples of severe from the Web

Severe thunderstorms left about 2,100 customers without power in the Boise, Kuna, Meridian and Nampa areas, according to Idaho Power.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Nearly 60 mph storm winds leave 2,100 without power in Treasure Valley," 24 Aug. 2017
Older people have the highest risk of severe disease, according to a news release from the health department.

— grace wong, McHenry County, "McHenry County reports first West Nile virus case of year," 23 Aug. 2017
Members of the Emergency Service Unit, which responds to most calls involving people in severe emotional distress, came to Mr. Bah’s door after his delusional behavior led his relatives to call 911.

— al baker, New York Times, "Officers Won’t Face Federal Charges in Shooting of Taxi Driver," 22 Aug. 2017
The woman had injuries, including a puncture wound on her elbow that was so severe that bone could be seen and required medical attention, officers said.

— andrew dys, charlotteobserver, "Parents fight at Clover youth football game over playing time, York Co. deputies say," 22 Aug. 2017
Nationally, only one in four eligible families with severe housing needs receives assistance, and the overwhelming majority goes to the poorest part of the population, the one the Scarbroughs had barely crawled out of.

— alden woods, azcentral, "$200 from home: Renters in the housing crisis are often stuck between help and affordability," 17 Aug. 2017
The white-letter hairstreak, which is native to the UK, has come under severe threat in recent years.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Elusive Butterfly Spotted in Scotland For the First Time in 133 Years," 17 Aug. 2017
While still over the Atlantic, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence.

— darren orf, Popular Mechanics, "American Airlines Flight Hits Severe Turbulence, Ten People Injured," 7 Aug. 2017
Arya’s also started to wear her hair like Ned—half pulled back in a severe style that’s very different from her looser Season 6 look.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones: The Hidden Meaning Behind Arya’s Big Fight," 6 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'severe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of severe

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin severus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

See Words from the same year

severe Synonyms

Synonyms

austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, stern, strict, tough

Antonyms

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant

Near Antonyms

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding; charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted; accepting, compromising, yielding; responsive, willing; acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

Synonym Discussion of severe

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

SEVERE Defined for English Language Learners

severe

play

adjective

Definition of severe for English Language Learners

: very bad, serious, or unpleasant
: causing a lot of physical pain or suffering
: very harsh

SEVERE Defined for Kids

severe

play

adjective se·vere \ sə-ˈvir \

Definition of severe for Students

severer; severest

1 :serious in feeling or manner

The sheriff gave me a … severe lecture about driving without a license …
—Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons

2 :hard to bear or deal with

severe suffering

a severe test

3 :very strict :harsh

a severe ruler

4 :not using unnecessary ornament :plain

a severe style

—

severely

adverb

Learn More about severe

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for severe Spanish Central: Translation of severe Nglish: Translation of severe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of severe for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up severe? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

severe

Definition of severe

severely

severeness

severity

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of severe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of severe from the Web

Origin and Etymology of severe

severe Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of severe

SEVERE Defined for English Language Learners

severe

Definition of severe for English Language Learners

SEVERE Defined for Kids

severe

Definition of severe for Students

severely

Learn More about severe

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066