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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.

Naomi Durnham, from Cardiff, experienced severe post-natal depression after the birth of her second daughter during the Covid pandemic.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“I fear that if the situation continues like this—on the energy front and fuel oils—a severe recession will follow,” Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti warned recently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Women now refuse to turn the clock back even though strict rules on "modesty" and severe punishments are still the law of this land.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“The software group has been under severe valuation pressure recently due to fears that generative AI technology makes their collective business models easy to replicate and undermine,” said Richard Baldry, senior research analyst at Roth.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

“It has become absolutely impossible for any kind of meditation whatsoever,” he said, with a severe glance at Taran.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

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!