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
The student's friends took her to a nearby apartment to rest after the fall, not realizing the severity of her injuries.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 May 2025
But for the most part, people don’t get the severity.
—Miranda Mullings and Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
One research review on the impact of physical activity in cancer patients found that exercise decreases the severity of treatment side effects, reduces fatigue, improves quality of life, benefits mental health, and improves fitness level.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 May 2025
Early treatment has been shown to reduce severity and the time to recover.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 May 2025
But for the most part, people don’t get the severity.
—Miranda Mullings and Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
One research review on the impact of physical activity in cancer patients found that exercise decreases the severity of treatment side effects, reduces fatigue, improves quality of life, benefits mental health, and improves fitness level.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 May 2025
Early treatment has been shown to reduce severity and the time to recover.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
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. 2025.
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