1
as in harsh
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a severe, uncompromising teacher who locked the classroom door precisely when the bell rang and let no one in afterward
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fierce
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
clergymen who dressed in severe clothing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in serious
not joking or playful in mood or manner
the judge maintained a severe expression throughout the trial
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tough
difficult to endure
a severe winter that was among the coldest on record
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a severe test of courage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severe
Some of the more severe complications of the fungus can include bleeding in the lungs and life-threatening infections in the brain, heart and kidneys, Mayo Clinic stated.
—
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Treatments depend on the individual case, including how severe the symptoms are.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 June 2025
On the whole, banks saw a smaller decline in the common equity tier 1 capital ratio in this year's test than last year's, though this latest test scenario was less severe, the Fed said.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Additionally, severe thunderstorms overnight brought quarter-inch hail to the city.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Treatments depend on the individual case, including how severe the symptoms are.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 June 2025
On the whole, banks saw a smaller decline in the common equity tier 1 capital ratio in this year's test than last year's, though this latest test scenario was less severe, the Fed said.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Additionally, severe thunderstorms overnight brought quarter-inch hail to the city.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
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Come spring, the Ranger III carries everything from outhouses and diesel fuel for the generators to construction supplies to repair whatever damage Mother Nature did to facilities over the harsh winter.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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The United States and Europe must finally sever all economic ties with Russia (e.g., nuclear partnerships) and impose harsher sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions so that China and others face consequences for their support of the war.—
Laura Thornton,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
25 June 2025
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Roca—with his pants torn and blood showing through—returns to fight and ultimately brings the bull down with one fierce thrust, leaving the sword in its back.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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To be sure, there have been positive signs that the revival was working, not least because the Tata’s were prepared to deploy serious capital and effort to back its ambitions.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Historians often describe Flammarion more as a popularizer than a serious scientist, but this should not diminish his accomplishments.—
Matthew Shindell,
Space.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Officials accomplished this by re-evaluating risk, putting strict limits on how long a person can be held in isolation and expanding behavioral health programs.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
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The train itself is powered by energy-efficient DX-class diesel-electric locomotives, and the carrier maintains strict environmental protocols, including waste minimization and recycling practices on board.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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In the procedural drama, Rodríguez brings to life a multi-layered and solemn character shaped by a traumatic childhood — abused within the foster care system, with no knowledge of his origins, and struggling with severe dyslexia.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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This protection -- known as the seal of confession -- is among the oldest and most solemn obligations in the Catholic Church, grounded in the Church’s teaching that, in the sacrament, penitents are confidentially confessing to and receiving forgiveness from God.—
Hiram Sasser,
National Review,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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