SEVERITY Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

severity

noun

sə-ˈver-ə-tē

Definition of severity

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

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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 After each storm season, a committee for the North Atlantic basin reviews the names and decides if any should be retired due to severity and major loss of life and property; around 100 names have been retired from the Atlantic list to date. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Treatment is highly individualized and depends on severity, but medication and therapy are the usual PPD protocol. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026 Treatment options for postpartum depression and psychosis will differ based on severity and type of symptoms and may include medication options, psychotherapy and/or support groups. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The quick response of China’s leadership is another sign of the severity of the disaster. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for severity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for severity

Noun

The differentiator between the three is the hardness of the brush.

— Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of hardness

Noun

In an electric bike, where the top tube must house a 230Wh battery pack, these wider, inherently stiff aluminum tubes actually provide superior rigidity over narrow-titanium piping.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Traditional silicon panels can be difficult to integrate into vehicle surfaces because of their rigidity and weight.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 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

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severing

severity

severs

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“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of severity

noun

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