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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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 Some of the metrics CMPD will use to gauge success include the number of teen crime victims, the number of crimes committed by teens and the number and severity in teen takeover events, Patterson said. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Riz Ahmed is there, entombed in his role as a frazzled scientific advisor who recognizes the severity of the situation. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026 Related Articles The Kennedy Center rejected this claim in a Friday statement quoted by the Times, saying that the severity of the problems has only recently come to light. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 In particular, the team found that the elevation of a molecule called IL16 was linked to pain severity. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for severity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for severity

Noun

There’s a certain softness to Peter’s eyes and a hardness in Telemachus’s brow.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Heating the alloy to 750°C (1,382°F) reduced its grain size by roughly 90%, while raising its hardness by 60 Vickers units.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of hardness

Noun

Let strictness with yourself earn your right to high expectations of others.

— Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Her clever approach looks at a large number of middle schools in Norway, ranking their divergent smartphone policies across a range from strictness to leniency.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of strictness

Noun

But there is a point where confidence can quietly become certainty, and certainty can become rigidity.

— Antonia Bowring, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Because different areas of the striatum correspond to different types of movement, the researchers propose that similar imbalances in other striatal circuits could potentially contribute to other forms of behavioral rigidity, as per the release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of rigidity

Noun

Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images Grief, loneliness, and the harshness of Eton’s education put Harry to the test.

— Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
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

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

Noun

Frankie wanted to rid himself of rigidness.

— Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026

Definition of rigidness

Browse Nearby Words

severing

severity

severs

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“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severity. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of severity

noun

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