severe

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The word "severe" is an adjective that describes something that is very serious, intense, or extreme in nature. It often refers to situations, conditions, or feelings that are very bad or that can cause great harm or anxiety.

Usage Instructions:

• Position: "Severe" is used before a noun (e.g., severe damage, severe pain).
• Context: It is often used in contexts like health, weather, emotions, or situations that require serious attention.

Examples:

1. Health: "The patient has a severe case of pneumonia." (This means the pneumonia is very serious.)
2. Weather: "The area was hit by severe storms last night." (This indicates the storms were very strong and dangerous.)
3. Emotions: "She felt severe anxiety before the exam." (This shows her anxiety was very intense.)

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "severe" can describe strictness or harsh conditions: - "The teacher was known for her severe discipline." (This means she was very strict.) - "They lived in severe poverty." (This indicates they lived in very bad financial conditions.)

Word Variants:

• Severely (adverb): "He was severely injured in the accident." (This means he was injured in a very serious way.)
• Severity (noun): "The severity of the storm caused many problems." (This refers to how serious the storm was.)

Different Meanings:

While "severe" typically means very serious or extreme, it can also imply a lack of leniency: - A "severe teacher" might be strict and not easy on students.

Synonyms:

• Serious
• Intense
• Extreme
• Harsh
• Grave
• Stern

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly include "severe," but you can use phrases like:
  • "A severe blow" (meaning a strong impact, either physically or emotionally).
  • "Severe criticism" (meaning very strong negative feedback).

Summary:

"Severe" is a word used to describe things that are very intense or serious, especially in negative contexts. It can apply to health, emotions, weather, and discipline.

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Adjective

1. very bad in degree or extent
   • a severe worldwide depression
   • the house suffered severe damage
2. causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
   • a dangerous operation
   • a grave situation
   • a grave illness
   • grievous bodily harm
   • a serious wound
   • a serious turn of events
   • a severe case of pneumonia
   • a life-threatening disease
3. unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
   • a parent severe to the pitch of hostility- H.G.Wells
   • a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien
   • a strict disciplinarian
   • a Spartan upbringing
4. severely simple
   • a stark interior
5. very strong or vigorous
   • strong winds
   • a hard left to the chin
   • a knockout punch
   • a severe blow
6. intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
   • severe pain
   • a severe case of flu
   • a terrible cough
   • under wicked fire from the enemy's guns
   • a wicked cough

Synonyms

• dangerous
• grave
• grievous
• serious
• life-threatening
• spartan
• austere
• stark
• stern
• hard
• knockout
• terrible
• wicked