severity
noun
se·ver·i·ty
sə-ˈver-ə-tē 
: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh
the severity of the climate
the severity of the punishment
Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.
To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.—
Bimal Kanti Paul
Bimal Kanti PaulA dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.—Tom Ewing
Tom EwingExamples of severity in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Trinidad and Tobago disputes the spill’s size and severity, saying only 10 barrels spilled on May 1 and were quickly contained.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
This is a congenital defect, and the treatment differs based on the severity of the condition.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
The severity of the disease varies on the strain of hantavirus, and mortality rates range from less than 1% to 15%.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Benzuly recalls the severity of the emergency.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
This is a congenital defect, and the treatment differs based on the severity of the condition.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
The severity of the disease varies on the strain of hantavirus, and mortality rates range from less than 1% to 15%.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Benzuly recalls the severity of the emergency.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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