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

A 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

Synonyms of severity

• hardness
• strictness
• sternness
• rigidity
• harshness
• stringency
• inflexibility
• rigidness

Examples 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

The other occupants -- four girls and two boys between the ages of 12 and 15 -- were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging in severity, police said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

The stage of the condition does not necessarily predict the severity of symptoms, and endometriosis can still cause scar tissue formation, pelvic adhesions, and fertility problems even if symptoms are not present. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

The Dodgers briefly discussed what bringing back Rortvedt would look like earlier in July, but did not make substantial progress until Sunday evening, upon learning the severity of Rushing’s injury. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Courtney, an Army veteran who served with the 1st Ranger Battalion, immediately recognized the severity of his injury. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for severity

• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity
• planarity
• polarity
• posterity
• prosperity

Kids Definition

severity

noun

se·​ver·​i·​ty

sə-ˈver-ət-ē

plural severities

: the quality or state of being severe