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View synonyms for

severe

[ suh-veer ]

adjective

severer, severest.
  1. harsh; unnecessarily extreme:

    severe criticism; severe laws.

    Antonyms: , ,

  2. serious or stern in manner or appearance:

    a severe face.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , , ,

    Antonyms: , , ,

  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: , ,

  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: ,

    Antonyms: , ,



severe

/ 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, adverb
  • ˈԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·· adverb
  • ··Ա noun
  • ··· adjective
  • o·ver···Ա noun
  • ··· adjective
  • su·per···Ա noun
  • ܲ·· adjective
  • un···Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of severe1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin ŧܲ, or back formation from severity
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Word History and Origins

Origin of severe1

C16: from Latin ŧܲ
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Synonym Study

See stern 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He was intubated and placed in a medically induced coma, which is a common step in treating severe smoke inhalation.

From

“The first time I would see that is that if I had difficulty flying a helicopter — taking off and flying. It’s a severe test of your brain.”

From

And the standards face severe problems under that test, for at least three reasons.

From

Due to his challenging behaviour and a condition that induces severe vomiting, he remained in hospital for months as they struggled to find somewhere long term that could accommodate his needs.

From

The “Pose” actor and “Drag Race Philippines” judge was hospitalized for a “severe” infection and lost “most of her right leg,” a family statement said Thursday on her Instagram page.

From

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severance taxsevere combined immune deficiency