SEVERE Synonyms: 374 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'severe' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of severe are ascetic , austere , and stern . While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness. // severe military discipline

Q: When could 'ascetic' be used to replace 'severe'?

The words ascetic and severe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline. // the ascetic life of the monks

Q: When can 'austere' be used instead of 'severe'?

The synonyms austere and severe are sometimes interchangeable, but austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial. // living an austere life in the country

Q: Where would 'stern' be a reasonable alternative to 'severe'?

The words stern and severe can be used in similar contexts, but stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character. // stern arbiters of public morality

severe

adjective

sə-ˈvir

Definition of severe

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fierce

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance clergymen who dressed in severe clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in serious

not joking or playful in mood or manner the judge maintained a severe expression throughout the trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tough

difficult to endure a severe winter that was among the coldest on record

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort a severe test of courage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective severe contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of severe are ascetic, austere, and stern. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

When could ascetic be used to replace severe?

The words ascetic and severe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When can austere be used instead of severe?

The synonyms austere and severe are sometimes interchangeable, but austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

Where would stern be a reasonable alternative to severe?

The words stern and severe can be used in similar contexts, but stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of severe War’s impact Last winter produced severe cold snaps that scrambled the region’s power grid, forcing generators to rely on expensive supplies of oil to keep plants running. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026 Typical symptoms are a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, and skin rash. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 The Edgewood neighborhood off State Road 84, which suffered severe flooding three and a half years ago, remained mostly clear. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The evaluation is used for vehicles expected to operate in difficult terrain and severe conditions. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for severe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe

Adjective

The video, and Ovechkin’s subsequent statements, have sparked harsh criticism in Europe, the United States and Canada, which is part of the NHL.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Beyond biological and nuclear threats, AI companies face harsh organizational incentives to develop AI even faster and — experts say — more recklessly.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Given the fierce competition to attract international productions, does SETT also represent a shift from attracting productions to supporting globally competitive Spanish companies that own intellectual property and can export it to the world?

— John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
In Season 3, David’s transformation from outcast shepherd to fierce warrior to chosen King is finally complete.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

The man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot once in the torso on the capital city's north side, Austin officials said at a news conference.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
If the issues being talked about weren’t so serious, declaring that machines are now smarter than humans, given this glaring gap between AI agents and their principals, would be a fun keynote for the next AI summit.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

The outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
And widespread adoption by farmers is challenging because perennial crops don’t yield as much, harvesting can be difficult and the market still is developing.

— Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Despite the massive guest list, Strahan shared on Good Morning America on July 6 that the ceremony still felt intimate because of the couple’s strict no-phones policy.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Martinessi’s sophomore feature is set in 1959, where the charismatic titular performer returns to Buenos Aires at the height of a strict military regime.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of strict

Adjective

His only hope to get home turns out to be Nick (Kenneth Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent who loves American pop culture and is really good in a fight.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Known for his gruff vocals, LaMontagne first came to the scene in the early aughts as a timid troubadour.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

Yom Kippur, which is coming on Monday, is the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar, is a day of introspection, self-examination, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.

— Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
The night, centered on the foundation’s ongoing push to fund a cure and support those stigmatized by their HIV status, didn’t end on that solemn note.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of solemn

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severances

severe

severed

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“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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