Definitions

severance

[sev-er-uhns, sev-ruhns] / ˈsɛv ər əns, ˈsɛv rəns /

NOUN

division

Synonyms

STRONG

analysis apportionment autopsy bisection breaking carving demarcation detachment diagnosis disjunction disjuncture dismemberment dissolution distribution disunion divorce divorcement parceling parting partition reduction rupture segmentation selection separation split subdivision vivisection

WEAK

breaking down breaking up contrasting cutting up departmentalizing detaching disparting disseverance disseverment distinguishing disuniting dividing rending separating splitting up

Antonyms

STRONG

attachment closing closure combination connection juncture marriage union

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company estimates that severance and other restructuring will cost between $140 million and $150 million for 2026.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

The letter said that the bondholders, some of whom had provided Spirit with a bankruptcy loan, would release some of their cash to provide for employees’ severance and healthcare costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

U.S. employees will receive severance of 16 weeks of base pay, plus two additional weeks for every year they have been with the company, Gale added.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

The company said it would also book charges of $95 million to $130 million for severance and related costs, with most of the charges expected in the second quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

“If anything like this occurs again, all of your fathers will be dismissed without severance. Anybody know what severance is? Annie?”

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

Vocabulary lists containing severance

Invisible Man

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Beowulf

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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 2–March 8, 2024

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