severity

noun

sə-ˈver-ə-tē How to pronounce severity (audio)
Definition of severitynext
as in hardness
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism) 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 severity These factors make its impacts somewhat of a wild card, experts say, with the effects of global warming acting in concert with El Niño to heighten the severity of heat waves and other disasters. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 The Naperville area could be in for more storms before the week’s over, although Doom noted the severity is unlikely to be close to what was experienced earlier in the week. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The group was unable to pass the driveway due to the severity of the flames and the heat. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Wiseman requested that the defendant be held without bail due to the severity of the charges. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for severity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severity
  1. hardness
  2. strictness
  3. sternness
  4. rigidity
  5. harshness
  6. stringency
  7. inflexibility
  8. rigidness
Noun
  • The best rocks are hard, non-porous rocks with a non-gritty surface, ideally a seven on the Mohs’ hardness scale.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In this form, boron nitride becomes what scientists call a superhard material, second in hardness to diamond.
    — Robin Macaluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardness
Noun
  • But their specific details and strictness have modulated between political administrations in recent years.
    — Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 June 2026
  • The ubiquity and strictness of regulation has real business impacts.
    — Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of strictness
Noun
  • Saura had a large sense of the humor, which struck those who got to know him, belying the sternness of his public visage with his playful banter and frequent chuckle.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of sternness
Noun
  • Hobbyists constantly ask for bigger build volumes, but scaling a CoreXY machine beyond the typical desktop footprint introduces a very different class of engineering challenges involving motion control, thermal management, rigidity, and reliability.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Certification bodies and government stakeholders – constituencies that typically favor precision – are trending in the opposite direction, choosing flexibility over rigidity in the face of political headwinds.
    — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rigidity
Noun
  • Reparations are about exercising a radical vision, thinking beyond the harshness of life, and knowing that something better is possible.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • The harshness of the response suggested that after nearly five decades of trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Holy See has had enough.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of harshness
Noun
  • These rules were enforced with various levels of stringency throughout the week, but several journalists complained of having to argue with security staff in order to bring in innocuous items such as laptops and cosmetics.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The administration says that this risk model is too cautious, leading to costly conservatism in reactor design, staffing redundancies and stringency in licensing.
    — Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of stringency
Noun
  • Before Ramos’ injury, rookie Bryce Eldridge was receiving inconsistent playing time, partly due to the roster’s inflexibility.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
  • The frustration is in the inflexibility.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of inflexibility
Noun
  • Frankie wanted to rid himself of rigidness.
    — Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of rigidness

Browse Nearby Words

severing
severity
severs
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Cite this Entry

“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severity. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of severity for Spanish Speakers

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