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
Their work—black-and-white portraits, still-lifes, and advertising shots, some now on view at Robert Mann gallery—subverts an education in Bauhaus severity with playful, quirky Surrealism.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
Reducing your carb intake and increasing your protein could help lessen the amount and severity of these spikes.
—Christina Manian, Health, 21 Nov. 2025
Waymo vehicles react differently to crash severity, according to the guide.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
While the events leading up to the cold snap might be normal, the timing and severity of the snap could be a bit abnormal.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
Reducing your carb intake and increasing your protein could help lessen the amount and severity of these spikes.
—Christina Manian, Health, 21 Nov. 2025
Waymo vehicles react differently to crash severity, according to the guide.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
While the events leading up to the cold snap might be normal, the timing and severity of the snap could be a bit abnormal.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 2025.
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