1
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the building was severely damaged by the explosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extremely
to a great degree
the rescued mountain climbers were severely dehydrated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 severely
More severely, two-thirds of Americans believe the federal government is intentionally withholding information, according to a recent poll.
—
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Three years before the balcony collapse that severely injured 10 people, the condo's property manager hired engineers and contractors.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Consumers have severely limited subjective bandwidth for nutritional guidance.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thomson Reuters, the publisher of Westlaw, was among those most severely hit — down nearly 20% since the announcement.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the same period, with more injured, including a soldier whom the military said was severely wounded when fighters opened fire near the ceasefire line in northern Gaza overnight.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
One guard member was killed while another was severely wounded.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
According to animal center spokesperson Jessica Gerke, the dog was severely emaciated, covered in scars and had open wounds around her mouth.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Three years before the balcony collapse that severely injured 10 people, the condo's property manager hired engineers and contractors.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Consumers have severely limited subjective bandwidth for nutritional guidance.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thomson Reuters, the publisher of Westlaw, was among those most severely hit — down nearly 20% since the announcement.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the same period, with more injured, including a soldier whom the military said was severely wounded when fighters opened fire near the ceasefire line in northern Gaza overnight.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
One guard member was killed while another was severely wounded.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
According to animal center spokesperson Jessica Gerke, the dog was severely emaciated, covered in scars and had open wounds around her mouth.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severely
Adverb
-
Recent changes narrowing the kinds of tasks agencies can perform when funding lapses also mean that shutdowns have the potential to hit a larger number of Americans more harshly than before, Abigail André, the executive director of the Impact Project, told me.—
Toluse Olorunnipa,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The plaintiffs allege that Black employees in the office were disciplined more harshly than their colleagues, denied accommodations and subjected to escalating retaliation after raising concerns about Johnson’s leadership.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The second planet from the sun has a completely inhospitable surface, with temperatures reaching 863 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) and a crushing pressure underneath an oppressively thick atmosphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The plot weaves together elements of romance, family drama and feminist struggle against the backdrop of a space walk gone terribly awry.—
Brianne Kane,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Below, Entertainment Weekly catches up with Teddi — who revealed in April 2025 that her cancer had progressed to stage IV — to get an update on her health, hear her dad's brutally honest Masked Singer feedback, and more.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mired in a brutally disappointing season, the New York Rangers traded star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, just minutes before the NHL Olympic roster freeze.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s incredibly moving to me, when people can internally start seeing the other person’s point of view.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Next, Stewart moved on to the Winter Olympics and the right-wing meltdown over freestyle skier Hunter Hess’ incredibly mild comments during a press conference.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
What has been hardest is seeing ordinary lives, families, young people, civilians slowly reduced to headlines or abstractions, rather than recognized as individuals living under immense and sustained pressure.—
Emily Chan,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Essentially, what seem like small tweaks have noticeable impacts on control when pushing the ski hard.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The party is also expected to fare badly in regional and local elections in May.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Raw eggs were left at room temperature, some cans were badly dented and there was food debris on the can opener.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Severely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severely. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
