severe (sɪˈvɪə
)
Definitions
adjective
- rigorous or harsh in the treatment of others; strict ⇒
a severe parent
- serious in appearance or manner; stern
- critical or dangerous ⇒
a severe illness
- causing misery or discomfort by its harshness ⇒
severe weather
- strictly restrained in appearance; austere ⇒
a severe way of dressing
- hard to endure, perform, or accomplish ⇒
a severe test
- rigidly precise or exact
Alternative Forms
seˈverely adverb seˈvereness severity (sɪˈvɛrɪtɪ) noun Word Origin
C16: from Latin sevērusSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
serious,
critical,
terrible,
desperate,
alarming,
extreme,
grave,
awful,
distressing,
appalling,
dire,
drastic,
very bad
catastrophic,
woeful,
ruinous,
=
acute,
extreme,
intense,
burning,
violent,
piercing,
racking,
searing,
tormenting,
exquisite,
harrowing,
unbearable,
excruciating,
agonizing,
insufferable,
torturous,
unendurable,
=
tough,
hard,
difficult,
taxing,
demanding,
fierce,
punishing,
exacting,
rigorous,
stringent,
arduous,
unrelenting,
=
strict,
hard,
harsh,
cruel,
rigid,
relentless,
drastic,
oppressive,
austere,
Draconian,
unrelenting,
inexorable,
pitiless,
unbending,
iron-handed
=
grim,
serious,
grave,
cold,
forbidding,
stern,
sober,
disapproving,
dour,
unsmiling,
flinty,
strait-laced,
tight-lipped,
=
plain,
simple,
austere,
classic,
restrained,
functional,
Spartan,
ascetic,
unadorned,
unfussy,
unembellished
bare-bones,
Usage examples
I handed it to the pimp who was giving me a severe case of claustrophobia.
, DEAD BEAT (2002)It is even worth taking a couple of spare tyres in case you get a severe cut.
Cycling Weekly (2004)There was no danger of a descent to Red Marauder levels, but the attrition rate was still surprisingly severe.
Irish Times (2002)The IWC was set up as a scientific advisory body because whale stocks were in severe danger.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Despite a severe attack of "Crimean fever", Nightingale herself visited the front three times.
, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)