severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]

/ səˈvɛr ɪ ti /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR severity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural se·ver·i·ties.

harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.

austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste: The severity of the decor was striking.

intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.

grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

rigid exactness or accuracy.

an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

Origin of severity

1475–85; <Latin sevēritās, equivalent to sevēr(us) severe + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM severity

non·se·ver·i·ty, noun, plural non·se·ver·i·ties.o·ver·se·ver·i·ty, nounsu·per·se·ver·i·ty, noun

Words nearby severity

severe, severe acute respiratory syndrome, severe combined immune deficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency, Severinus, severity, Severn, Severna Park, Severnaya Zemlya, Severodonetsk, Severodvinsk

Example sentences from the Web for severity

Within these forms, the severity of depression can vary over time.
Robin Williams’ Deadly Depression|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We did so because we understood the severity of those threats.
Why You Should Blame Iran For The Gaza Conflict|Naftali Bennett|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McDonald attempts to impart on him the severity of the consequences he will face should he find himself back in this courtroom.
Private Prisons Rule With Little Oversight on America’s Border|Caitlin Dickson|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The scope—and severity—of their alleged crimes is astounding, as well.
The FBI Declares War on L.A.’s Crips|Andrew Romano|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Longtime Quds Force chief Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani is reportedly in Baghdad, which indicates the severity of the crisis.
Iran Is the Biggest Loser in Iraq|Aki Peritz|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This incident served Henry as a pretence for his severity towards that prince.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part C.|David Hume
He had scarcely arrived when he made every exertion to urge it to adopt measures of severity.
History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, Volume III|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
He would have it out even to the extent of severity and have done with it.
The Pastor's Wife|Elizabeth von Arnim
Then the talk drifted back to the singing school and Brother Friedsam's severity.
Duffels|Edward Eggleston
He was a tall, thin man with a wide mouth, which either smiled charmingly or was set with severity.
The Copy-Cat and Other Stories|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman