as in hardness
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
even though no one expected the film to be a hit with the critics, the director was taken aback by the severity of the criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of severity
Hunter-Torricke was frustrated by governments, which seemed to have failed to grasp the severity of the occasion.
—
Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
In fact, our approach measures the severity of an atrocity by also looking at the number of widespread physical integrity rights violations involved.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
These tech enhancements can lower the frequency of accidents and the severity of those collisions.
—Lyssanoel Frater, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
The judge ordered the Department of Corrections to stop using solitary confinement that lasts longer than three days to punish prisoners for failing to work, and to stop stacking disciplinary infractions related to failure to work to increase the severity of possible punishments.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
In fact, our approach measures the severity of an atrocity by also looking at the number of widespread physical integrity rights violations involved.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
These tech enhancements can lower the frequency of accidents and the severity of those collisions.
—Lyssanoel Frater, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
The judge ordered the Department of Corrections to stop using solitary confinement that lasts longer than three days to punish prisoners for failing to work, and to stop stacking disciplinary infractions related to failure to work to increase the severity of possible punishments.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severity
Noun
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Known for its hardness and high melting point, petalite is already valued in heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And there’s little strictness about ideological consistency.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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His mother’s strictness helped Harewood avoid getting caught up in selling drugs.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Yet behind his sternness lived a man of reflection and sensitivity, whose words and verses hinted at a gentleness rarely shown.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The freedom-loving sign tends to struggle with routine and rigidity, making a pairing with comfort creature Taurus particularly challenging.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
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Check the stems for rigidity and make sure that plant material is clean with no indications of mold or decay.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sunlight naturally sanitizes, and air drying prevents the harshness of high heat.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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The tinted visor that Morgan Geekie wore for two games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in January could help mute the lights’ harshness.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The administration says that this risk model is too cautious, leading to costly conservatism in reactor design, staffing redundancies and stringency in licensing.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
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Reportedly, a final deal between the U.S. and the EU was held up over Trump’s distaste for the stringency of the Digital Services Act, a regulation that aims to make the internet safer and more transparent for EU citizens and consumers.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Red Sox could also try to move on from Masataka Yoshida, though his contract, injury history and positional inflexibility will hamper his trade value.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
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Roster inflexibility could further complicate matters.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severity. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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