1
as in harsh
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a severe, uncompromising teacher who locked the classroom door precisely when the bell rang and let no one in afterward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fierce
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
clergymen who dressed in severe clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in serious
not joking or playful in mood or manner
the judge maintained a severe expression throughout the trial
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tough
difficult to endure
a severe winter that was among the coldest on record
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5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a severe test of courage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severe
Consider Medications More severe cases of bacne may require medical treatment or prescription medication options, including:1213
Dapsone gel: This topical antibiotic can help clear back acne when applied daily.
—
Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
But her origin story is compelling: Braverman was born in Ukraine, just weeks before the Chernobyl nuclear event, and was in severe respiratory distress soon after birth.
—John Werner, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Konstantopoulos has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a chronic condition that affects connective tissues and makes injuries more frequent and severe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Isolated, severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts are possible for the Baltimore area Wednesday.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
But her origin story is compelling: Braverman was born in Ukraine, just weeks before the Chernobyl nuclear event, and was in severe respiratory distress soon after birth.
—John Werner, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Konstantopoulos has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a chronic condition that affects connective tissues and makes injuries more frequent and severe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Isolated, severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts are possible for the Baltimore area Wednesday.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
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Nestled within denser parts of the clouds, the water would have been protected from being destroyed by harsh radiation from nearby stars, Latif said.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Smith isn’t alone in that sentiment, as other analysts and critics have shared his harsh review of Bronny’s performance in the NBA.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bill has been met with both fierce opposition and staunch support from students, professors and community members across the state.—
Amanda McCard,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2025
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With Zverev looking to cement his dominance, Alcaraz aiming for a repeat title, and Fritz eager to defend home soil, the competition will be fierce from day one.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At the time of writing, the pope lies in hospital in serious condition.—
Federico Perelmuter,
The Dial,
13 Mar. 2025
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Despite the threat of serious tariff increases by the Trump administration DHL’s aggregated baseline forecast calls for global trade volumes to grow in that period at a compound annual rate of 3.1 percent.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Another really tough stretch is ahead for the Heat.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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The only trick: Choose a dye that’s gentle on the hair, tough on grays, and easy to apply.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These protein complexes are highly shape-shifting, making traditional imaging methods very difficult.—
Priyanka Naik,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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But their happy romance is soon demolished when Jenny reappears in their lives, thrusting all three into a difficult and messy journey towards true accountability and adulthood.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But in fact, some parents warn against helicopter parenting, and strict parenting can actually result in more rebellious kids.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2025
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While strict organ specificity was observed for only six diseases, most conditions exhibited partial organ specificity.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ford’s actually relatively locked-in as the gruff but supportive Colonel Graff training the impressionable Ender (Asa Butterfield), who has to save the universe as all lads in these types of films tend to do.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Pope Misses Start of Lent The Catholic Church began the solemn Lenten season on Wednesday without Pope Francis because of his ongoing hospitalization.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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The Catholic Church opened the solemn Lenten season without the pope's participation.—
Bradford Betz,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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