SEVERELY Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

severely

adverb

Definition of severely next

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

as in extremely

to a great degree the rescued mountain climbers were severely dehydrated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of severely Iran has repeatedly used internet shutdowns during periods of unrest, where access to the global internet is severely restricted or completely cut, making foreign websites and apps unreachable. —

Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026 Conducting a soil test will eliminate the guesswork when choosing the right type and amount of fertilizer for your trees, as using too much fertilizer or the incorrect type can severely damage them. —

Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026 Once the tiny, blue, lavender, or white flowers have faded, prune the plant severely to encourage dense foliage growth. —

Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 May 2026 Others have been severely neglected or abused or left stranded following their owner’s death. —

Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026 The betrayal triggered a civil war within the cartel, and the factions loyal to El Chapo’s sons have been severely weakened over the last year, losing territory across Sinaloa. —

Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 The lawsuits were filed after West Suburban abruptly closed in late March, with the owner of the hospital operating company citing problems with the billing system that had left the hospital severely short on cash. —

Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 Police are seeking information about a grey 2025 Ford Escape in connection with a hit-and-run crash that severely injured a bicyclist in Romulus, Michigan, on May 8, 2026. —

Nick Lentz, CBS News, 9 May 2026 Iran’s ballistic missile program has been severely damaged by the attacks, which have reduced its operational capacity by as much as 60%. —

Michael Collins, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely

Adverb

Later, people tell me that the police interrogated her like a potential suspect—not harshly, just because of standard procedure.

— Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
The bill is separate from a law passed in March that approved the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, a measure harshly condemned by the international community and rights groups as discriminatory and inhumane.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2026