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.

This makes the impact less severe than if Medicare or all U.S. sales were included, he notes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Storm Arwen brought severe winds across the north east in November 2021 after the Met Office issued a red warning for wind.

From BBC

Evidence shows that some of Earth's earliest ice ages were so severe that ice and snow covered nearly the entire planet.

From Science Daily

But some passengers and crew members have been diagnosed with long-lasting and severe illnesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

The consequences of this happening on your tax return could be severe.

From The Wall Street Journal