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   severe

   /sɪˈvɪə/

   adjective

   • 1. (of something bad or undesirable) very great; intense: "a severe shortage of technicians" Similar acutevery badseriousgravecriticaldiredrasticgrievousextremedreadfulterribleawfulfrightfulappallingsorealarmingworryingdistressingdangerousperilouslife-threateningperacuteprofoundarchaic, humorous:parlousfierceviolentstrongwildpowerfulforcefulintensetempestuousturbulenttumultuousexcruciatingagonizingviolentintensedreadfulawfulterriblefrightfulunbearableintolerableunendurablestabbingshootinginformal:splittingthumpingpoundingOpposite minornegligiblegentleslight
   • ▪ demanding great ability, skill, or resilience: "a severe test of stamina" Similar very difficultdemandinghardtougharduousformidabletaxingexactingrigorouspunishingonerousgruellingburdensomeheavyback-breakinguphillstiffOpposite easysimple
   • 2. (of punishment of a person) strict or harsh: "the charges would have warranted a severe sentence" Similar harshhardbitterbitterly coldcoldbleakfreezingicyarcticpolarSiberianextremenastyharshscathingsharpstrongfierceferociousstringentsavageblisteringsearingstingingscorchingdevastatingmordanttrenchantcausticbitingcuttingwitheringrigorousunsparingsmartsoundextortionateexcessiveunreasonableinordinateoutrageoussky-highharshstiffpunitivepunishingpenalswingeingstrictsternrigorousharshhardinflexibleuncompromisinginexorableimplacablerigidunbendingrelentlessunrelentingunyieldingmercilesspitilessruthlessdraconianoppressiverepressivepunitiveroughnastytyrannicaliron-fistediron-handedbrutalinhumancruelsavageinformal:solidOpposite mildmildlenientlax
   • ▪ (of a person) formal and unsmiling. Similar sterndourgrimgrim-facedforbiddingdisapprovingtight-lippedunsmilingunfriendlysombregravesoberseriousausterestiffflintystonysteelygloweringfrowningcoldalooffrostyicyfrigidOpposite genialfriendly
   • 3. very plain in style or appearance: "she wore another severe suit, grey this time" Similar plainsimplerestrainedunadornedundecoratedunembellishedunornamentedausterechastesparestarkultra-plainunfussywithout frillsspartanasceticmonasticpuritanicalfunctionalclinicalunclutteredclassicOpposite ornatefancy

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in severe (sense 2)): from French sévère or Latin severus.

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSEVERE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   SEVERE definition: 1. causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious: 2. extreme or very…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › severeSevere Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › severe

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   1. a. : strict in judgment, discipline, or government. b. : of a strict or stern bearing or manner : austere. 2. : rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement : stringent. 3. : strongly critical or condemnatory. a severe critic. 4. a. : maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or self-discipline. b.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › severeSEVERE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › severe

   • Cached

   serious or stern in manner or appearance: a severe face. Synonyms: grim, forbidding, dour, austere, punitive, draconian, rigorous, rigid, heavy-handed, strict. Antonyms: temperate, mild, benign, gentle. threatening a seriously bad outcome or involving serious issues; grave: a severe illness.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › severeSEVERE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › severe

   • Cached

   not kind or showing sympathy; not willing to accept other people's mistakes or failures: The principal spoke in a severe voice. The president is currently facing severe criticism. There are severe penalties for failing to declare all your income to the Internal Revenue Service.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › severeSevere - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › severe

   very bad in degree or extent. “a severe worldwide depression”. “the house suffered severe damage”. synonyms: bad. having undesirable or negative qualities. adjective. intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality. “ severe pain”.