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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
However, people who begin to develop more severe symptoms such as full body hives, vomiting or difficulty breathing should immediately seek emergency care.
—
Christopher P. Holstege, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
Large waves will likely cause severe beach and coastal damage.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
Dishman rushed outside to find a tree had fallen on his house during strong winds from Saturday night's severe thunderstorms that hit northern Indianapolis and Hamilton County.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2025
The angle with which the Super Heavy booster came back in for a landing was more severe than previous landing attempts.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Christopher P. Holstege, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
Large waves will likely cause severe beach and coastal damage.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
Dishman rushed outside to find a tree had fallen on his house during strong winds from Saturday night's severe thunderstorms that hit northern Indianapolis and Hamilton County.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2025
The angle with which the Super Heavy booster came back in for a landing was more severe than previous landing attempts.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
-
After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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The report didn’t elaborate on that treatment but studies and surveys have previously highlighted the military’s notoriously harsh conditions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Nonetheless, the show’s premiere provides the perfect moment to map out the slimy, menacing world of Ellen Ripley and company in their epic battle against one of the galaxy’s fiercest creatures.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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On a subsequent rally, Kaylee smacked a fierce shot past me, scoring her team a point.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Hormonal changes can trigger or worsen mental health conditions, including serious ones like psychosis.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Leaves harvested after flowering may be tough and bitter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
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Yermak’s been a pivotal conduit for Ukraine in negotiating with the U.S. and its European allies, particularly in pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This deep understanding of local transportation patterns would have been difficult with rapid multi-city expansion.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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But even though scientists have been able to discover thousands of planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system in recent years, including some around Proxima Centauri, which is fairly a dim star, it's been difficult to go planet-hunting around Alpha Centauri A and B, which orbit each other.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The widespread destruction triggered stricter building codes across the state.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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In addition to broadening Opinel's appeal in jurisdictions with strict regulations on locking knives, the Opiflex mechanism is designed to streamline blade opening and closing for fast, intuitive knife use.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Faced with this existential crisis, Bull gathers his best pals—Rocco, a gruff boxer (Idris Elba); Lucky, a dopey but loyal beagle (Bobby Moynihan); and Fetch, a wannabe influencer dachshund (Fred Armisen)—for one final night of canine mischief.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The strength and conditioning coach barked out stretches in a gruff voice, starting off the first practice of fall football camp on a note of discipline.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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