severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]

/ səˈvɛr ɪ ti /

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See synonyms for severity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural se·ver·i·ties.

harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.

austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste: The severity of the decor was striking.

intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.

grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

rigid exactness or accuracy.

an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

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On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

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Origin of severity

1475–85; <Latin sevēritās, equivalent to sevēr(us) severe + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM severity

non·se·ver·i·ty, noun, plural non·se·ver·i·ties.o·ver·se·ver·i·ty, nounsu·per·se·ver·i·ty, noun

Words nearby severity

severe combined immune deficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency, severed, severely, Severinus, severity, Severn, Severna Park, Severnaya Zemlya, Severodonetsk, Severodvinsk

How to use severity in a sentence

They controlled for a number of other factors that could plausibly influence severity, including population density, age, education and poverty.
Researchers identify social factors inoculating some communities against coronavirus|Christopher Ingraham|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
In the weeks since the insurrection, it’s been hard to measure the severity of the damage done to our country.
The danger of right-wing mobs is real. Fencing at the U.S. Capitol won’t help.|Philip Kennicott|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Our friends try to give her advice and she takes it in the moment, recognizing the severity of the situation.
Carolyn Hax: Her sister-in-law has the starring role in a mean group chat|Carolyn Hax|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
So far there is limited evidence of changes in disease severity from these variants.
Coronavirus mutations add urgency to vaccination effort as experts warn of long battle ahead|Joel Achenbach, Ariana Eunjung Cha|January 30, 2021|Washington Post

The scientific community has not produced evidence that the South Africa or Brazil variants cause a different level of disease severity.
First U.S. case of highly transmissible Brazil coronavirus variant identified in Minnesota|Joel Achenbach|January 25, 2021|Washington Post
In reality,” Francis said, “theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Within these forms, the severity of depression can vary over time.
Robin Williams’ Deadly Depression|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We did so because we understood the severity of those threats.
Why You Should Blame Iran For The Gaza Conflict|Naftali Bennett|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McDonald attempts to impart on him the severity of the consequences he will face should he find himself back in this courtroom.
Private Prisons Rule With Little Oversight on America’s Border|Caitlin Dickson|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The scope—and severity—of their alleged crimes is astounding, as well.
The FBI Declares War on L.A.’s Crips|Andrew Romano|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Carelessness in worming was an unpardonable offence in the days of slavery, and was frequently punished with great severity.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
He was tutor to lady Jane Grey, and more noted for his severity against the Puritans than for his learning.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
All the three children were treated with very great severity, which was not unusual at that time.
The Childhood of Distinguished Women|Selina A. Bower
One gentleman, who had made himself conspicuous by the severity of his language, went about with pistols in his pockets.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
He used both hands with awful severity; and in short, he was one of the most fearsome wild beasts ever allowed to remain at large.
The Chequers|James Runciman