1
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the building was severely damaged by the explosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extremely
to a great degree
the rescued mountain climbers were severely dehydrated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severely
Advertisement Now in its eighth week, the conflict has severely disrupted global energy markets.
—
Gemma Fox, Time, 19 Apr. 2026
Cher is again seeking a conservatorship over her son Elijah Blue Allman, alleging that his drug addiction has severely affected his mental health and led to mounting debt.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
They usually must be connected to a power outlet, which can severely limit their ability to clean certain areas.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Diesel prices in the US and Europe, which was hit severely by the war, led the move lower in the energy complex.
—Kate Sullivan, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Since October of last year, the agency has lost more than 1,500 agents, and these unfilled positions have severely hindered operational capacity at a critical moment.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Also severely impacted, according to those sources, was the Berlin team that helps facilitate Artnet’s efforts to sell art online.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
He was severely injured after being shot down in 1967 over North Vietnam and was tortured during his time as a prisoner of war.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
In Beef season 1's final episode, Danny ends up in the hospital hooked up to a ventilator after being severely injured by Amy’s husband, George.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Gemma Fox, Time, 19 Apr. 2026
Cher is again seeking a conservatorship over her son Elijah Blue Allman, alleging that his drug addiction has severely affected his mental health and led to mounting debt.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
They usually must be connected to a power outlet, which can severely limit their ability to clean certain areas.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Diesel prices in the US and Europe, which was hit severely by the war, led the move lower in the energy complex.
—Kate Sullivan, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Since October of last year, the agency has lost more than 1,500 agents, and these unfilled positions have severely hindered operational capacity at a critical moment.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Also severely impacted, according to those sources, was the Berlin team that helps facilitate Artnet’s efforts to sell art online.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
He was severely injured after being shot down in 1967 over North Vietnam and was tortured during his time as a prisoner of war.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
In Beef season 1's final episode, Danny ends up in the hospital hooked up to a ventilator after being severely injured by Amy’s husband, George.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
-
At a time when Erdogan is struggling to resolve the country's growing economic problems, responding to Netanyahu's statements harshly scores points domestically and burnishes his strong leader image.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Knowing that any unauthorized demonstrations are harshly suppressed, activists have tried to organize authorized rallies, plastered posters on walls and notice boards, and filed lawsuits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Only 11% of respondents were extremely comfortable using AI, whereas 25% were not comfortable at all using the technology.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
These mid-rise jeans are extremely soft, crafted from 98 percent cotton.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The second planet from the sun has a completely inhospitable surface, with temperatures reaching 863 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) and a crushing pressure underneath an oppressively thick atmosphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
All told, the destructive flooding killed at least 136 people along a several-mile stretch of the river, raising questions about how things went so terribly wrong.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Things aren’t going terribly well as of late for the Prius.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The turnaround from the end of the college season to the first day of WNBA training camp is always brutally short, but the players drafted in 2026 get even less time than is typical.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Hastings became known for implementing a unique and controversial culture of radical transparency, where employee evaluations are brutally candid and average performances can be grounds for termination.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Still, what makes this tour so incredibly memorable is that the political rhetoric — which was very much stamped with a seal of approval by the crowd in San Francisco — is accompanied by some of the most life-affirming and powerful rock ‘n’ roll ever created.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Although incredibly small, these structures can have powerful effects on the human body.—
Panteha Torabian,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
For Rory McIlroy, the trek toward getting a second Masters championship got a little bit harder.—
Rod Beard,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Some hurts Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen never returned because of a lower-body injury after being knocked hard into the boards by Hartman late in the first period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The body was so badly decomposed that the deceased’s gender could not be determined, said police.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
He was badly wounded in an Israeli airstrike that hit the building without warning during the first week of the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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