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
On bridging the divide, Michel stressed the importance of recognizing the severity of the crisis, and engaging in productive dialogue.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Speaking at full time on Thursday, manager Hansi Flick had been unsure of the severity of the injury.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Depending on the severity of your hormonal acne, treatment options to manage breakouts include lifestyle changes—like diet adjustments or using different skin care products—to in-office procedures like laser treatments or corticosteroid injections.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
While San Diego County saw a decrease in acres under the highest severity rating, areas including Los Angeles County, still reeling from the Eaton and Palisades fires, saw increases of 30%.
—Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Speaking at full time on Thursday, manager Hansi Flick had been unsure of the severity of the injury.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Depending on the severity of your hormonal acne, treatment options to manage breakouts include lifestyle changes—like diet adjustments or using different skin care products—to in-office procedures like laser treatments or corticosteroid injections.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
While San Diego County saw a decrease in acres under the highest severity rating, areas including Los Angeles County, still reeling from the Eaton and Palisades fires, saw increases of 30%.
—Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2025.
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