severely

[ suh-veer-lee ]

/ səˈvɪər li /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for severely on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in a very stern, strict, or harsh way: One day he was caught taking a few pieces of scrap wood and was severely punished with two weeks of hard labor.

to a grave, far-reaching, or critical degree; seriously: Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and medications on their own.

in a very simple, plain, or austere style or manner: She wore her hair severely tied back in a ponytail and refused to wear anything feminine.

in a very challenging or exacting way that is difficult to endure:The Great Depression severely tested the parish, as the church building was almost lost to creditors.

to a distressing or highly uncomfortable degree:Much of North America experiences periods of severely cold weather and is susceptible to snow and ice storms.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of severely

severe + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM severely

o·ver·se·vere·ly, adverbsu·per·se·vere·ly, adverbun·se·vere·ly, adverb

Words nearby severely

severance pay, severance tax, severe, severe combined immune deficiency, severed, severely, Severinus, severity, Severn, Severna Park, Severnaya Zemlya

How to use severely in a sentence

Nine in 10 cases of severe illness were in the placebo group, another strong sign the vaccine protected against mild and serious cases.
Pfizer and BioNTech will seek regulatory clearance of their coronavirus vaccine|Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The software prioritizes content based on how severe the likely policy violation may be and how likely the piece of content is to spread across Facebook’s social networks.
Facebook’s A.I. is getting better at finding malicious content—but it won’t solve the company’s problems|Jeremy Kahn|November 19, 2020|Fortune
The results, published Thursday in The Lancet medical journal, shed more light on preliminary data released in recent months showing the experimental shot generated an immune response in the elderly, who are at highest risk of severe illness.
Oxford says COVID-19 vaccine has produced strong immune response ahead of late-stage trial results|kdunn6|November 19, 2020|Fortune
Without a prescription and supervision by a medical professional, who could pair the drug with a separate pain-reliever such as fentanyl, the lawyers said the inmates’ risk of severe pain is increased.
Orlando Hall executed after Supreme Court declined to intervene|Ann Marimow|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

The new data showed that the vaccine was 94 percent effective among people over 65, a group at high risk of serious illness, and prevented severe as well as mild cases.
Pfizer says its coronavirus vaccine is safe and 95% effective and that it will seek regulatory review within days|Carolyn Y. Johnson, Laurie McGinley|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, joining in the chorus, severely berates Tehran for its role in the Levant.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most|Djavad Khadem|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year he was severely criticized for his handling of a land deal with a neighbor in financial distress.
What the Hell Happened in Vermont?!|Stuart Stevens|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wounded severely in his right leg in an airstrike two years ago, Ziad has an excuse for not enlisting.
Darkness at Noon Prayers: Inside the Islamic Police State|Jamie Dettmer|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Between 1999 and 2008, the number of severely intoxicated young women who wound up in E.R.s rose by 52 percent.
Elizabeth Peña and the Truth About Alcoholic Women|Gabrielle Glaser|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The turbulent waters caused one of his oars to crack, which—without a motor or a sail—can be severely detrimental to his voyage.
Victor Mooney’s Epic Adventure for His Dead Brother|Justin Jones|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sepoys refused to obey, and the sowars, drawing their pistols, shot dead or severely wounded six British officers.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
So precipitously had the guerrillas fled that except the severely wounded, few prisoners were taken.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The poor dog was severely hurt about the neck; it recovered, however, soon afterwards.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
The soldiers killed a young lad who tried to pass, or wounded him so severely that it is said that he died.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Lannes retreated slowly on Essling, his troops suffering severely from the re-formed Austrian batteries.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison