severely
/sɪˈvɪəli
/adverb
1To an undesirably great or intense degree: our business has been severely affected by the slowdown [as submodifier]: severely injured patients...
- The basis of their ire is severely depleted groundwater.
- In fact some poor continued on out-relief at a severely reduced rate.
- The film suffers from naturalistic excesses, at times severely.
Synonyms
very badly, extremely badly, seriously, gravely, critically, grievously, acutely, sorely;
dangerously;
fatally
sharply, roundly, soundly, fiercely, scathingly, savagely
informal like a ton of bricks
harshly, strictly, sternly, rigorously, relentlessly, mercilessly, pitilessly, oppressively, repressively, roughly, sharply, with an iron hand, with a rod of iron;
brutally, cruelly, savagely
sternly, grimly, dourly, disapprovingly, sombrely, gravely, seriously, stiffly;
coolly, coldly, frostily, icily
plainly, simply, austerely, without adornment, without frills, starkly, spartanly, monastically;
classically
2Strictly or harshly: the culprits will be severely punished...
- Subsequent cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with quite severely.
- The implementation stage of the fair value scheme has been severely criticised.
- The team that has already been severely punished by FIA earlier this year, also seems to be safe for now.
2.1In a formal and unsmiling way: ‘I hope you’re not trying to steal my girlfriend,’ I said severely...
- They were typical young recruits, too half-witted to know any better, but Ma was so fed up, he criticized them severely.
- This means that when fundamentalists say they are obeying the word of God, they have severely understated the authority for their position.
- In 1932 the cast would have been severely reprimanded backstage afterwards - and worse!
3In a very plain style: her hair was severely pulled back into a bun...
- It is now unusual to add eggs or fat, and rice pudding has tended to become a severely plain nursery dish.