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
In a separate case, Jake entered a guilty plea to a charge of willful neglect of a child just two years ago after severely abusing his 10-week-old daughter.
—
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
To the south, Mexico’s GDP contracted in the third quarter, sparking fears of a recession, as the industrial sector, ranging from mining to construction to manufacturing, has been severely impacted by trade tensions.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Murphy and Roberston devote their first act to the series of Conference of the Parties (COP) summits that preceded the climactic negotiations in Kyoto in 1997, which instituted a framework, severely weakened by compromise, for international cooperation on reducing emissions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
Really, the show is here to serve fierce looks, bitchy one-liners and big juicy moments, with severely mixed results.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Beyond those two more imminent projects, sources told CNN the sudden changes at Goddard this month could severely hurt space science and exploration in the next decade.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Beshear said at least three people had died and 11 others were injured, some of them severely.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In study after study, Harlow, Gluck, and their colleagues found that their primates were sentient, self-aware, and severely distressed.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The 35-year-old is severely hearing impaired and has limited ability to speak.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
To the south, Mexico’s GDP contracted in the third quarter, sparking fears of a recession, as the industrial sector, ranging from mining to construction to manufacturing, has been severely impacted by trade tensions.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Murphy and Roberston devote their first act to the series of Conference of the Parties (COP) summits that preceded the climactic negotiations in Kyoto in 1997, which instituted a framework, severely weakened by compromise, for international cooperation on reducing emissions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
Really, the show is here to serve fierce looks, bitchy one-liners and big juicy moments, with severely mixed results.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Beyond those two more imminent projects, sources told CNN the sudden changes at Goddard this month could severely hurt space science and exploration in the next decade.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Beshear said at least three people had died and 11 others were injured, some of them severely.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In study after study, Harlow, Gluck, and their colleagues found that their primates were sentient, self-aware, and severely distressed.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The 35-year-old is severely hearing impaired and has limited ability to speak.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
-
Several testers found the monk fruit or allulose sweeteners (depending on flavor) tipped the drinks in a harshly herbal or saccharine direction, and found the high from the Uplifting Watermelon Lime flavor to be jarringly strong.—
Chala June,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Tagovailoa was harshly criticized for his comments and later apologized, with many questioning the signal-caller's leadership capabilities.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Sharon is extremely annoying, but my heart does break for her a tiny bit here.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Satchel Crossbody This effortlessly chic crossbody bag will add an elegant flair to any daytime look while also being extremely functional.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
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
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On an oppressively hot Friday in July, plumes of smoke curl up from Arnolds Field.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
With its frozen setting, enigmatic characters, and haunting tone, Let The Right One In is, at its core, a twisted and terribly sad love story — as all the best vampire movies are.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Something went terribly wrong in the flavor-infusion process.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The birthday celebration was brutally cut short when Ofir was abducted into captivity, where he was murdered.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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In this Fire sign, the messenger planet not only turns up the volume in communication but is also notorious for having unfiltered opinions, not to mention its brutally honest observations.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Disney is incredibly unlikely to ever admit that politics were a factor in Doctor Who‘s cancellation, but Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension was revealing of the company’s desire to minimize MAGA wrath.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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There’s always someone around the corner who’s eager to please you, but being so recognizable can become incredibly isolating as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
There’s nobody who works harder than Cristobal.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And even harder, the task ahead for that leader.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
So how did The Times, a pillar of quality British journalism since the 18th century, blow the story so badly?—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Kade Durnin knew right away that something was badly wrong.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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