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.

H3N2 viruses always tend to be more severe for the elderly and there is no clear evidence the virus is worse than expected this year.

From BBC

Bolivia is experiencing a severe shortage of the foreign currency needed to import fuel and other essentials.

From Barron's

This year, McFadden’s student loans were finally discharged through a program that allows borrowers who have a severe disability to have their debt canceled.

From MarketWatch

How severe this period becomes depends on how much global temperatures rise.

From Science Daily

severe

Example Sentences

Related Words