severity
noun
se·ver·i·ty
sə-ˈver-ə-tē 
: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh
the severity of the climate
the severity of the punishment
Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.
To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.—
Bimal Kanti Paul
Bimal Kanti PaulA dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.—Tom Ewing
Tom EwingExamples of severity in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
First, because our common narrative framework depends on the past, many people still consider warming through a speculative lens, failing to recognize the severity, and urgency, of superstorms and sea-level rise.
—Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025
Common cold symptoms: Vitamin C can help reduce the duration of the common cold and reduce the severity of its symptoms.
—Sara Hoffman, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
Combs’ team even claims that crucial portions of the video were removed to hide context that could lessen the severity of the situation.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The scientific community’s strong opposition and calls for action highlight the severity of these potential cuts and their implications for the future of science in America.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
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Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025
Common cold symptoms: Vitamin C can help reduce the duration of the common cold and reduce the severity of its symptoms.
—Sara Hoffman, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
Combs’ team even claims that crucial portions of the video were removed to hide context that could lessen the severity of the situation.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The scientific community’s strong opposition and calls for action highlight the severity of these potential cuts and their implications for the future of science in America.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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