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

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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

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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 2023, Spelling made headlines when it was revealed that she lived in an RV following a severe mold issue in her previous rental, which caused chronic illnesses.

From MarketWatch

The IMF estimates that severe trade fragmentation could hit global gross domestic product by up to 7%.

From The Wall Street Journal

In adults, symptoms can include but are not limited to slurred speech, extreme shivering or muscle pain, severe breathlessness and skin that is mottled or discoloured.

From BBC

A severe drought also burned up grazing pastures, making it more expensive to feed livestock.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nottingham City Transport said there were "severe delays" on the Orange 36 line because of the crash.

From BBC

Related Words

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