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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of severity
After donning an optional medical-grade polyethylene glove or foot cover – again, to help prevent infection – the patient places the affected limb in the basin for anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the severity of the frostbite.
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Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024
The American College of Gastroenterology also notes that IBS symptoms can vary in severity from person to person and that women are nearly twice as likely to have IBS than men – though it is not known for certain why that is.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Depending on the severity of the issue the company has with an employee, they may be terminated, given warnings or face disciplinary actions.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Walking has been shown to improve strength, stamina, and flexibility and reduce the risk or severity of several chronic health concerns.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for severity 
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024
The American College of Gastroenterology also notes that IBS symptoms can vary in severity from person to person and that women are nearly twice as likely to have IBS than men – though it is not known for certain why that is.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Depending on the severity of the issue the company has with an employee, they may be terminated, given warnings or face disciplinary actions.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Walking has been shown to improve strength, stamina, and flexibility and reduce the risk or severity of several chronic health concerns.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for severity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severity
Noun
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For all its ugliness, hardness is seductive, as is a toxic, dominating man’s pull.Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
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Water hardness is created by minerals such as calcium carbonate.Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 15 July 2024
Noun
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Whereas some scholars resign themselves to the rigidity of academia, Giovanni, who was an English professor at Virginia Tech until 2022, remained committed to learning new lessons.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
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Despite the linear rigidity of cardboard, there are ample curves in What World’s debut collection, from the structured round tote to the dimpled sides of the travel bag.Marissa Muller, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The statement went on to explain that the company would increase the stringency of pre-launch testing phases.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
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This can be done without financial stringencies by redirecting a fraction of the trillions of dollars spent on the military-industrial-security state.Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severity. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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