severe

American  

[suh-veer] / səˈvɪər /

adjective

severer, severest

1. harsh; unnecessarily extreme.

   severe criticism; severe laws.

   Antonyms:

   tolerant, lax, lenient

2. serious or stern in manner or appearance.

   a severe face.

   Synonyms:

   grim, forbidding, dour, austere, austere, punitive, draconian, rigorous, rigid, heavy-handed, strict

   Antonyms:

   temperate, mild, benign, gentle

3. threatening a seriously bad outcome or involving serious issues; grave.

   a severe illness.

4. rigidly restrained in style, taste, manner, etc.; simple, plain, or austere.

   Synonyms:

   stark, serious, spartan

5. causing discomfort or distress by extreme character or conditions, as weather, cold, or heat; unpleasantly violent, as rain or wind, or a blow or shock.

6. difficult to endure, perform, fulfill, etc..

   a severe test of his powers.

7. rigidly exact, accurate, or methodical.

   severe standards.

   Synonyms:

   exacting, demanding

   Antonyms:

   facile, effortless, easy

---

severe British  

/ sɪˈvɪə, sɪˈvɛrɪtɪ /

adjective

1. rigorous or harsh in the treatment of others; strict

   a severe parent

2. serious in appearance or manner; stern

3. critical or dangerous

   a severe illness

4. causing misery or discomfort by its harshness

   severe weather

5. strictly restrained in appearance; austere

   a severe way of dressing

6. hard to endure, perform, or accomplish

   a severe test

7. rigidly precise or exact

---

Related Words

See stern ¹.

Other Word Forms

• oversevere adjective
• oversevereness noun
• severely adverb
• severeness noun
• supersevere adjective
• supersevereness noun
• unsevere adjective
• unsevereness noun

Etymology

Origin of severe

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin sevērus, or back formation from severity

Example Sentences

In the fourth winter of full-scale war, Ukraine is dealing with its most severe energy crisis since 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There will almost certainly be numerous mudslides, severe flooding either from heavy rain or clogged storm drains, and possibly debris flows,” the National Weather Service said.

From Los Angeles Times

But the experience in other nations have led some experts to worry another severe flu season could be on deck for California.

From Los Angeles Times

“There will almost certainly be numerous mudslides, severe flooding either from heavy rain or clogged storm drains, and possibly debris flows near recent burn scars,” the National Weather Service said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Union of Journalists and Journalists' Organisations said they would petition the High Court of Justice against the decision, calling it "a severe and unlawful infringement on freedom of expression and freedom of the press".

From BBC

Related Words

• acute
• bitter
• dangerous
• drastic
• extreme
• fierce
• heavy
• intense
• punishing
• serious
• sharp
• tough
• violent