severity

noun

se·​ver·​i·​ty sə-ˈver-ə-tē 

: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh

the severity of the climate

the severity of the punishment

Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.

To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.

—Bimal Kanti Paul

A dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.

—Tom Ewing

Synonyms of severity

• hardness
• strictness
• sternness
• rigidity
• harshness
• stringency
• inflexibility
• rigidness

Examples of severity in a Sentence

even though no one expected the film to be a hit with the critics, the director was taken aback by the severity of the criticism

Recent Examples on the Web

Players who receive a red can still be suspended for the next game/games, depending on the severity of the infraction. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Officers and paramedics reportedly applied a tourniquet to the male victim's wounds before he was transported to the hospital due to the severity of his injuries. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 21 July 2026

An evacuation will be activated when there are both timing and severity triggers, per the company website. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 21 July 2026

So consider the size and severity of scratches and markings, as well as the item’s price. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for severity

• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity
• planarity
• polarity
• posterity
• prosperity

Kids Definition

severity

noun

se·​ver·​i·​ty

sə-ˈver-ət-ē

plural severities

: the quality or state of being severe