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
Both a quarantine and blockade are similar in essence, though differ in personnel and severity.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Scientists have tried to artificially bolster Florida’s coral populations by rearing colonies in nurseries both onshore and offshore, but the success of these efforts will depend on the frequency and severity of future bleaching events, the report said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Sadly, Chesapeake Animal Control said that Miguel had to be euthanized due to the severity of the attack, McGuire told the outlet.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
No laws prevent an employer from terminating an employee once their FMLA expires, regardless of the severity of their disability.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
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Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Scientists have tried to artificially bolster Florida’s coral populations by rearing colonies in nurseries both onshore and offshore, but the success of these efforts will depend on the frequency and severity of future bleaching events, the report said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Sadly, Chesapeake Animal Control said that Miguel had to be euthanized due to the severity of the attack, McGuire told the outlet.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
No laws prevent an employer from terminating an employee once their FMLA expires, regardless of the severity of their disability.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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