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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
-
Mills, a longtime associate of Fiona Apple, knows this territory well: the pointed self-analysis of an extremely sensitive person.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025 -
No vaccine is perfect, the experts said, but the risk with the Covid vaccine is extremely small and the problems like a sore arm or a low-grade fever that some of his patients have experienced resolved quickly.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Adverb
-
So, this is a terrible – terribly misguided policy.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
1 June 2025
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The reason Evin is infamous is because of its terribly cruel high security detention centers that are poorly supervised by the Prison Chief.—
Jeff Kaufman,
Time,
30 May 2025
Adverb
-
Adding to the shock factor of this particular comeback was how badly Indiana handled the ball in the first half.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Everlane Khaki Wide-leg Linen Pants These high-rise pants from Everlane are made from a breezy linen-viscose blend that won’t wrinkle as badly as 100 percent linen.—
Alexandra Pereira,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2025
Adverb
-
Legislators must work hard to protect the Historic Preservation Fund.—
Aaron Marcavitch,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2025
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Similarly, Williams is on the record expressing his desire to be coached hard and welcoming Johnson’s arrival as a catalyst to his development.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Adverb
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Huang held on, and did so through incredibly difficult stretches that included him fighting to keep his job.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Digital search features on platforms like Google aggregate from all posts available, so when Fosgate’s tweets first got popular, the biggest and most available information about her was both transphobic and incredibly cruel.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
Adverb
-
Even in 2006, when violence was at a very high point in Colombia, only 32% of asylum cases were approved.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
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Wilkerson said dental procedures are generally very safe.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Adverb
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That could be especially helpful with a highly contagious disease like measles, in which one infected person can quickly spread the virus to as many as 18 others.—
Alice Park,
Time,
3 June 2025
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Orcas are highly social ocean predators that live and travel in groups, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
Adverb
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But there are many times when Ait-Nouri resorts to his tricks too readily, with his over-elaboration putting his team in trouble.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Similarly, if one person yells loudly during a funeral, other people will, too.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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