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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severely
The free-trade agenda sought to deregulate the labor market and prioritize market efficiency, strengthening the hands of employers and severely weakening union and social movements, as anti-free traders had predicted.
—
Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
And with an additional 100 percent tariff imposed on Chinese imports, China’s economy would be severely slowed.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
But things turned bleak on Sunday when Skattebo was severely injured during the team's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Given the disease’s wide range of trajectories and manifestations—from mild and manageable to severely disabling—some now regard it as a group of diseases, rather than a single one.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
No matter who plays, TCU will face a severely limited passing offense.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
This includes setting up nutritional clinics where treatment can be given to severely malnourished patients, as is being done with organizations like UNICEF.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
The second hiker, a Canadian, was more severely injured and had stopped hiking at 11,800 feet.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The federal cuts severely limit NOAA’s capabilities and services that millions rely on — both directly and indirectly — every day.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
And with an additional 100 percent tariff imposed on Chinese imports, China’s economy would be severely slowed.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
But things turned bleak on Sunday when Skattebo was severely injured during the team's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Given the disease’s wide range of trajectories and manifestations—from mild and manageable to severely disabling—some now regard it as a group of diseases, rather than a single one.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
No matter who plays, TCU will face a severely limited passing offense.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
This includes setting up nutritional clinics where treatment can be given to severely malnourished patients, as is being done with organizations like UNICEF.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
The second hiker, a Canadian, was more severely injured and had stopped hiking at 11,800 feet.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The federal cuts severely limit NOAA’s capabilities and services that millions rely on — both directly and indirectly — every day.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
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This can range from where to stand to create passing lanes to how quickly or slowly to travel in possession — as Elliott harshly discovered against Sunderland.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The chamber has harshly criticized the proposal on its website and in mass texts.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Almeida is extremely likely to have wrestling success early in this fight, and the question becomes whether Volkov can survive and extend the matchup.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Last offseason, the Red Sox were extremely active, trading for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 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
-
On an oppressively hot Friday in July, plumes of smoke curl up from Arnolds Field.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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The market isn't terribly deep for that need this winter.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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This was natural mummification, a possible if not terribly likely occurrence in the dry cool February climate of Santa Fe, in this case in the confines of a private modern house.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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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
-
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
Adverb
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When daylight savings ends next week, dragging yourself out of bed will likely feel even harder.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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But economists say recruiting young people will get harder nationwide as smaller families continue to transform the American population.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Arguably the best thing about this season (other than every time Sage shows up on my TV screen) is how incredibly personal Savannah takes everything.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
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The country is incredibly violent.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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