1
as in harsh
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a severe, uncompromising teacher who locked the classroom door precisely when the bell rang and let no one in afterward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fierce
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
clergymen who dressed in severe clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in serious
not joking or playful in mood or manner
the judge maintained a severe expression throughout the trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tough
difficult to endure
a severe winter that was among the coldest on record
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a severe test of courage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of severe
The front-seat passenger, a 16-year-old, nearly died after suffering severe injuries, including a shattered pelvis and ruptured internal organs.
—
Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
He had been diagnosed with severe conduct disorder and antisocial traits, per 9 News.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
While moderate to severe ailments require a certain amount of rest and recovery, mild ones might improve with movement.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe if untreated.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
He had been diagnosed with severe conduct disorder and antisocial traits, per 9 News.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
While moderate to severe ailments require a certain amount of rest and recovery, mild ones might improve with movement.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe if untreated.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severe
Adjective
-
Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Never one for details, Trump is now clearly linking the harsh 54% tariffs imposed on China on Tuesday to a TikTok deal.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Age restrictions could impact the positives that social media brings, and still fall short of solving its more serious issues.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s likely a tough pill to swallow for Gomez, who typically launches her albums at No. 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Even if Denver had that many future second-rounders to offer this summer, doing so two consecutive years would be a tough pill to swallow.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some venues, such as London's fabric, encourage a phone-free environment through guidance rather than strict enforcement.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
-
First, monitor how Asian hubs respond to the surprising success of Singapore’s stricter regime - will Hong Kong double down on flexibility or pivot toward stability?—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The noble profile of a solemn, aging Great Dane named Apollo dominates Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s The Friend, a movie nominally about the difficulties of caring for a pet in New York City.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Then, with his hopes of starting the season in the major leagues officially dashed, Hinch and his family began the solemn drive from Philly to the team’s Triple-A site in Scranton, Pa.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severe. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share