What is the meaning of severe?

adjective

  • Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality.
    • usage: "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's guns"; "a wicked cough"
  • Very strong or vigorous.
    • usage: "strong winds"; "a hard left to the chin"; "a knockout punch"; "a severe blow"
  • Severely simple.
    • usage: "a stark interior"
  • Unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment.
    • usage: "a parent severe to the pitch of hostility- H. G. Wells; "a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien"; "a strict disciplinarian"; "a Spartan upbringing"
  • Causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm.
    • usage: "a dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "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.
    • usage: "a severe worldwide depression"; "the house suffered severe damage"
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APAWordNet. (2010). severe. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/severe/definitions/1183315
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "severe" http://smartdefine.org/severe/definitions/1183315 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, severe, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/severe/definitions/1183315>.
MLAWordNet. "severe" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/severe/definitions/1183315>
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