Severe meaning

What does “severe” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“severe” is an adjective with 6 meanings. Its most common meaning is: intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality.

severe

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
“severe pain”
“a severe case of flu”
Synonymsterrible wicked
very strong or vigorous
“strong winds”
“a hard left to the chin”
Synonymshard knockout
severely simple
“a stark interior”
Synonymsaustere stark stern
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
“a parent severe to the pitch of hostility”
“a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien”
Synonymsspartan
causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
“a dangerous operation”
“a grave situation”
Synonymsdangerous grave grievous serious life-threatening
very bad in degree or extent
“a severe worldwide depression”
“the house suffered severe damage”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University