severity
noun
se·ver·i·ty
sə-ˈver-ə-tē 
: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh
the severity of the climate
the severity of the punishment
Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.
To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.—
Bimal Kanti Paul
Bimal Kanti PaulA dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.—Tom Ewing
Tom EwingSynonyms
Examples of severity in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) noted a post-2020 increase in both the frequency and severity of such incidents, although specific links to alcohol consumption remain unclear.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Despite security threats increasing in volume and severity, a 2024 World Economic Forum report found that only 15% of organizations expect cyber skills and education to significantly ramp up by 2026.
—Todd Moore, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Each country is then assigned a 0-100 score on our Atrocities Scope and Scale Heuristic – providing a single metric for the breadth and severity of atrocities committed within a certain year.
—Collin J. Meisel, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
The values of the deductions correspond to the severity of the error.
—Tess Demeyer, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for severity 
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John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Despite security threats increasing in volume and severity, a 2024 World Economic Forum report found that only 15% of organizations expect cyber skills and education to significantly ramp up by 2026.
—Todd Moore, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Each country is then assigned a 0-100 score on our Atrocities Scope and Scale Heuristic – providing a single metric for the breadth and severity of atrocities committed within a certain year.
—Collin J. Meisel, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
The values of the deductions correspond to the severity of the error.
—Tess Demeyer, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for severity
Dictionary Entries Near severity
Cite this Entry
“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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