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Definitions

severe

[suh-veer] / səˈvɪər /
ADJECTIVE
uncompromising, stern
Synonyms
STRONGEST
harsh relentless serious strict stringent
WEAK
ascetic astringent austere biting caustic close cold cruel cutting despotic disapproving dour earnest firm flinty forbidding grave grim hard hard-nosed inconsiderate inexorable inflexible iron-handed obdurate oppressive peremptory pitiless resolute resolved rigid rigorous satirical scathing sober stern stiff strait-laced tight-lipped tyrannical unalterable unbending unchanging unfeeling unrelenting unsmiling unsparing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kind
WEAK
amenable calm compromising easy easygoing facile friendly mild temperate willing
ADJECTIVE
harsh; extreme
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acute bitter dangerous drastic extreme fierce heavy intense punishing serious sharp tough violent
WEAK
arduous bleak consequential critical demanding distressing domineering effortful exacting forbidding grave grim grinding hard hefty implacable inclement intemperate mordant oppressive overbearing pitiless rugged strenuous taxing toilsome unpleasant unrelenting weighty wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bland blunt calm dull easy gentle light mild moderate peaceful tender trivial unimportant
WEAK
amenable easygoing

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.

As a result, China has gone on to suffer from a severe gender imbalance, with men now outnumbering women by over 30 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Despite these severe conditions, the yeast cells managed to survive.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Up north, the San Francisco Bay Area has already been experiencing the severe weather.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Cuban farmers have already been operating under severe constraints imposed by U.S. sanctions — struggling to obtain spare parts to repair tractors, access fertilizers and pesticides or secure basic inputs like seeds.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

When a severe selection pressure is applied—a rise in temperature or a sharp restriction of nutrients—organisms with the “fittest” phenotype are selected.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Vocabulary lists containing severe

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 4

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!