Pronunciations (4)
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/sɪˈvɪə/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/sɪˈvɪɹ/
Pronunciation notes
- US
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/sɪˈviːɹ/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
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sɪˈvɪr
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Very bad or intense.
- Examples
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In the severer cases of hookworm the patient sometimes has an appetite for soil, paper, hair, clay, chalk, starch, and other unpalatables.
Parkinsonism, at its severest, presents itself as an akinetic amimia (as opposed to certain cortical disorders which are amimic akinesias).
More examples (1)
Phoenix and Lubbock are both caught in severe drought, and it is going to get much worse. We may see many such [dust] storms in the decades ahead, along with species extinctions, radical disturbance of ecosystems, and intensified social conflict over land and water. Welcome to the Anthropocene, the epoch when humans have become a major geological and climatic force.
Strict or harsh.
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a severe taskmaster
Sober, plain in appearance, austere.
- Examples
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a severe old maiden aunt
severe clothing
Adjective
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
- Examples
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severe pain
a severe case of flu
More examples (3)
a terrible cough
under wicked fire from the enemy's guns
a wicked cough
very strong or vigorous
- Examples
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a hard left to the chin
a knockout punch
More examples (1)
a severe blow
severely simple
- Examples
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a stark interior
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
- Synonyms
- Examples
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a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien
a strict disciplinarian
More examples (1)
a Spartan upbringing
causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
- Examples
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a dangerous operation
a grave situation
More examples (6)
a grave illness
grievous bodily harm
a serious wound
a serious turn of events
a severe case of pneumonia
a life-threatening disease
very bad in degree or extent
- Examples
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a severe worldwide depression
the house suffered severe damage