severity
noun
se·ver·i·ty
sə-ˈver-ə-tē 
: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh
the severity of the climate
the severity of the punishment
Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.
To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.—
Bimal Kanti Paul
Bimal Kanti PaulA dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.—Tom Ewing
Tom EwingExamples of severity in a Sentence
even though no one expected the film to be a hit with the critics, the director was taken aback by the severity of the criticism
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Tkachuk’s injury Of utmost importance for the Panthers now that the tournament has concluded: Figuring out the severity of Matthew Tkachuk’s lower-body injury that hobbled him for most of the tournament.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Rivers told reporters that the risk of the appeal being unsuccessful and the suspension then ending later in the season was too great of a risk, even if the team disagreed with the severity of the punishment.
—Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Police said its child abuse unit began to look into the boy’s case, and, given the severity of the child’s neglect, homicide detectives also took up the investigation.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025
The severity of this year’s flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Rivers told reporters that the risk of the appeal being unsuccessful and the suspension then ending later in the season was too great of a risk, even if the team disagreed with the severity of the punishment.
—Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Police said its child abuse unit began to look into the boy’s case, and, given the severity of the child’s neglect, homicide detectives also took up the investigation.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025
The severity of this year’s flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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