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
Bimal Kanti PaulA 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
Tom EwingExamples 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
Tornadoes can develop at any time, and in Oklahoma, the severity of a storm can change in an instant.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026
Cloud shapes to watch for Once a thunderstorm develops, several types of clouds may form within the storm, indicating its strength and severity.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Willett agreed that the severity of winters generally balances out across decades.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
The war’s impact on inflation depends on its severity and duration as well as the magnitude of the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor through which one in five barrels of oil around the world flow.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026
Cloud shapes to watch for Once a thunderstorm develops, several types of clouds may form within the storm, indicating its strength and severity.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Willett agreed that the severity of winters generally balances out across decades.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
The war’s impact on inflation depends on its severity and duration as well as the magnitude of the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow corridor through which one in five barrels of oil around the world flow.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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