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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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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4
as in tough
difficult to endure
a severe winter that was among the coldest on record
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5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a severe test of courage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severe
In more severe cases, dogs could be hospitalized for a couple of days.
—
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Hailstones, which can break windows, tear off siding and dent and even puncture roofing material, account for between half and 80% of homeowner insurance claims annually from severe convective storms — thunderstorms that can produce hail and tornadoes — according to St. George.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 23 May 2025
Biden’s physical deterioration was so severe in the second half of his presidency that aides privately talked about the possibility of a wheelchair, according to an excerpt of a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Hailstones, which can break windows, tear off siding and dent and even puncture roofing material, account for between half and 80% of homeowner insurance claims annually from severe convective storms — thunderstorms that can produce hail and tornadoes — according to St. George.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 23 May 2025
Biden’s physical deterioration was so severe in the second half of his presidency that aides privately talked about the possibility of a wheelchair, according to an excerpt of a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
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Though Nicole reserves her harshest jabs for Jorgeous, the real heat is between Tina and Mistress.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Padilla had harsh comments for the president and the GOP in a statement Thursday after the House vote.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Some of the Thunderbird pilots flying high had to overcome serious obstacles on the ground.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
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Created by a Benedictine monk with a serious eye for detail, this whimsical stop features 125 tiny, handcrafted replicas of famous historic landmarks, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all located on the grounds of Alabama’s only Benedictine monastery, St. Bernard Abbey.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s really tough to stop from turning into scoring opportunities for the opponent.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Buy Now: Flashlight on Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, V. E. Schwab (June 10) V. E. Schwab’s sapphic vampire romance begins in 16th century Spain with Maria, a tough young bride, looking to escape her wealthy husband.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Under the measure's broad scope and strict distance limits, few areas in Ohio would remain open to such purchases.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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Every lens test follows strict real-world testing, where every feature and all functions are tested to assess overall performance.—
James Abbott,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Handheld digital images give way to more solemn documentary reveries, which give way to surveillance footage and TikTok-style social media interludes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
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The scenes involving Alma and Erika, both of whom grow up in worlds dominated by a solemn patriarchy and plagued by hardship, feel like they were drawn from period horror movies.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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