severely
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se·vere
(sə-vîr′)adj. se·ver·er, se·ver·est
1. Unsparing, harsh, or strict, as in treatment of others: a severe critic.
2. Marked by or requiring strict adherence to rigorous standards or high principles: a severe code of behavior.
3. Stern or forbidding, as in manner or appearance: spoke in a severe voice.
4. Extremely plain in substance or style: a severe black dress.
5. Causing great discomfort, damage, or distress: a severe pain; a severe storm.
6. Very dangerous or harmful; grave or grievous: severe mental illness.
7. Extremely difficult to perform or endure; trying: a severe test of our loyalty.
se·vere′ly adv.
se·vere′ness n.
Synonyms: severe, stern1, austere, ascetic, strict
These adjectives mean unsparing and exacting with respect to discipline or control. Severe implies adherence to rigorous standards or high principles and often suggests harshness: "Praise or blame has but a momentary effect on the man whose love of beauty in the abstract makes him a severe critic on his own works" (John Keats).
Stern suggests unyielding disposition, uncompromising resolution, or forbidding appearance or nature: "She was a stern woman who ran the household with precision and an iron hand" (Margaret Truman).
Austere connotes aloofness or lack of feeling or sympathy, and often rigid morality: "The captain ... was an austere man that never laughed or smiled that one could see" (Alan Paton).
Ascetic suggests self-discipline and often renunciation of worldly pleasures for spiritual improvement: "Be systematically ascetic ... do ... something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it" (William James).
Strict means requiring or showing stringent observance of obligations, rules, or standards: "She was afraid to wake him up because even in his sleep he seemed to be such a strict man" (Eudora Welty).
These adjectives mean unsparing and exacting with respect to discipline or control. Severe implies adherence to rigorous standards or high principles and often suggests harshness: "Praise or blame has but a momentary effect on the man whose love of beauty in the abstract makes him a severe critic on his own works" (John Keats).
Stern suggests unyielding disposition, uncompromising resolution, or forbidding appearance or nature: "She was a stern woman who ran the household with precision and an iron hand" (Margaret Truman).
Austere connotes aloofness or lack of feeling or sympathy, and often rigid morality: "The captain ... was an austere man that never laughed or smiled that one could see" (Alan Paton).
Ascetic suggests self-discipline and often renunciation of worldly pleasures for spiritual improvement: "Be systematically ascetic ... do ... something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it" (William James).
Strict means requiring or showing stringent observance of obligations, rules, or standards: "She was afraid to wake him up because even in his sleep he seemed to be such a strict man" (Eudora Welty).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Adv. | 1. |  severely - to a severe or serious degree; "fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated"; "badly injured"; "a severely impaired heart"; "is gravely ill"; "was seriously ill" |
| 2. | severely - with sternness; in a severe manner; "`No,' she said sternly"; "peered severely over her glasses" | |
| 3. | severely - causing great damage or hardship; "industries hit hard by the depression"; "she was severely affected by the bank's failure" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
severely
adverb
1. seriously, badly, extremely, gravely, hard, sorely, dangerously, critically, acutely the severely depressed construction industry
2. strictly, harshly, sternly, rigorously, sharply, like a ton of bricks (informal), with an iron hand, with a rod of iron They should punish these drivers more severely.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
severely
[sɪˈvɪəlɪ] ADV1. (= seriously)
1.1. (with verb) [damage, disrupt, hamper] → seriamente; [limit, restrict] → severamente; [injure, affect] → gravemente
the competitors were severely tested by the conditions → las condiciones meteorológicas habían supuesto una dura prueba para los participantes
the competitors were severely tested by the conditions → las condiciones meteorológicas habían supuesto una dura prueba para los participantes
1.2. (with adj) [ill, disabled] → gravemente; [depressed, disturbed] → profundamente
3. (= austerely) [dress] → austeramente
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
severe
(səˈviə) adjective1. (of something unpleasant) serious; extreme. severe shortages of food; a severe illness; Our team suffered a severe defeat.grave, serio
3. (of style in dress etc) very plain. a severe hairstyle.austero
seˈverely adverbseˈverity (-ˈve-) nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.