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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Within eight months, 28 women with severe pregnancy complications before fetal viability had come through the doors of Parkland and Clements.
—
Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
There is a marginal risk for severe weather across east Central Florida, with the greatest threat being in the afternoon or evening.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Alongside Jey Uso, Flair’s Royal Rumble win garnered severe backlash.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Facing this unusually severe problem, the state began regulating air pollution well before the federal government did.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
There is a marginal risk for severe weather across east Central Florida, with the greatest threat being in the afternoon or evening.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Alongside Jey Uso, Flair’s Royal Rumble win garnered severe backlash.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Facing this unusually severe problem, the state began regulating air pollution well before the federal government did.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
-
More precipitation in these locations could make up for the harsh cold season.—
Jordan-Marie Smith,
NPR,
11 May 2025
-
The team opened the year with some question marks at third base and those questions have persisted after a harsh injury to Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm landed on the injured list earlier this month after suffering a high-grade strain to his right oblique.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Increasingly, however, the interviews that are the bedrock of film coverage are fewer, shorter and more lightweight, often to the point of being useless for anyone trying to write a serious piece.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
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With limited flexibility and few valuable trade assets, Milwaukee faces serious hurdles in building a contender around Antetokounmpo.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s really tough to stop from turning into scoring opportunities for the opponent.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Dapple Baby takes this task very seriously, offering a fragrance-free formula that’s tough on stains yet gentle on newborn skin.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Proving such social behaviors is extraordinarily difficult without a large amount of data.—
Jay Kakade
May 18,
New Atlas,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Until May 24, stars attending premieres and other events sprinkled throughout the festival grounds will have to follow the organization's notoriously strict outfit guidelines, which appear to have only gotten tighter.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Handheld digital images give way to more solemn documentary reveries, which give way to surveillance footage and TikTok-style social media interludes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
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The scenes involving Alma and Erika, both of whom grow up in worlds dominated by a solemn patriarchy and plagued by hardship, feel like they were drawn from period horror movies.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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