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
More severely, two-thirds of Americans believe the federal government is intentionally withholding information, according to a recent poll.
—
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Three years before the balcony collapse that severely injured 10 people, the condo's property manager hired engineers and contractors.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Consumers have severely limited subjective bandwidth for nutritional guidance.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thomson Reuters, the publisher of Westlaw, was among those most severely hit — down nearly 20% since the announcement.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the same period, with more injured, including a soldier whom the military said was severely wounded when fighters opened fire near the ceasefire line in northern Gaza overnight.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
One guard member was killed while another was severely wounded.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
According to animal center spokesperson Jessica Gerke, the dog was severely emaciated, covered in scars and had open wounds around her mouth.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Three years before the balcony collapse that severely injured 10 people, the condo's property manager hired engineers and contractors.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Consumers have severely limited subjective bandwidth for nutritional guidance.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thomson Reuters, the publisher of Westlaw, was among those most severely hit — down nearly 20% since the announcement.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the same period, with more injured, including a soldier whom the military said was severely wounded when fighters opened fire near the ceasefire line in northern Gaza overnight.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
One guard member was killed while another was severely wounded.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
According to animal center spokesperson Jessica Gerke, the dog was severely emaciated, covered in scars and had open wounds around her mouth.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
-
The plaintiffs allege that Black employees in the office were disciplined more harshly than their colleagues, denied accommodations and subjected to escalating retaliation after raising concerns about Johnson’s leadership.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Mendonça was born in 1968, in the early years of a ruthless military dictatorship—a time when cinema, like much else, was harshly constrained.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 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
-
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy — The message Kendall Coyne Schofield posted on her social media was not terribly difficult to decipher.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Not that she’s been terribly missed in the deeply Democratic state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Below, Entertainment Weekly catches up with Teddi — who revealed in April 2025 that her cancer had progressed to stage IV — to get an update on her health, hear her dad's brutally honest Masked Singer feedback, and more.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mired in a brutally disappointing season, the New York Rangers traded star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, just minutes before the NHL Olympic roster freeze.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s where going to space becomes incredibly effective.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The silicone prosthetics were incredibly thin, which meant that putting a ring through them could rip them if they were accidentally tugged or pulled too hard.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Some teens worry that relying on AI for emotional support could make real conversations harder.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And some may not get on the ballot — each candidate must gather 500 legitimate voter signatures by March 4, which is relatively easy in citywide races but harder in council districts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The party is also expected to fare badly in regional and local elections in May.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Raw eggs were left at room temperature, some cans were badly dented and there was food debris on the can opener.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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