severe
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely bad or serious in degree or extent: Used to describe situations, conditions, or damage that are very intense, harsh, or grave.
- Very strict, harsh, or austere: Used to describe a person's manner, judgment, discipline, or appearance that is uncompromising and stern.
- Extremely intense or forceful: Used to describe physical forces, impacts, or sensations that are very powerful.
- Plain and without decoration: Used to describe styles or designs that are very simple and austere.
Examples of Usage
Describing a serious condition or extent:
- The patient is in severe pain.
- The region is experiencing a severe drought.
- The storm caused severe damage to the coastline.
Describing a strict or harsh manner:
- The judge was known for his severe expression.
- She had a severe upbringing with many rules.
- He gave the child a severe look of disapproval.
Describing intense force or strength:
- The boat was hit by a severe gust of wind.
- The boxer suffered a severe blow to the head.
Describing plain style:
- The room was decorated in a severe, minimalist style.
- She wore her hair in a severe bun.
Advanced Usage
"Severe weather": Refers to dangerous meteorological conditions like storms, blizzards, or hurricanes.
- All flights were canceled due to severe weather.
"Severe penalty/punishment": Refers to a very harsh or strict penalty for a crime or violation.
- The law prescribes a severe penalty for that offense.
"Severe test/trial": Refers to an extremely difficult challenge or assessment.
- The expedition was a severe test of their endurance.
Variants and Related Words
Severely (adverb): In a severe manner; to a severe degree.
- He was severely injured in the accident.
- The teacher spoke severely to the class.
Severity (noun): The quality or state of being severe.
- The severity of the winter surprised everyone.
- He underestimated the severity of the crisis.
Synonyms
- Harsh: Unpleasantly rough or intense, especially in terms of conditions or treatment.
- Grave: Very serious, giving cause for alarm.
- Serious: Demanding careful consideration; not joking or trivial.
- Strict: Demanding that rules are obeyed completely.
- Austere: Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries.
Antonyms
- Mild: Not severe, serious, or harsh.
- Lenient: More merciful or tolerant than expected.
- Gentle: Mild in temperament or behavior; not harsh or severe.
- Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree; not extreme.
Related Phrases and Idioms
To be severe with someone: To treat someone in a very strict or harsh way.
- The coach was severe with the players who missed practice.
A severe case of (something): An instance of an illness or problem that is particularly bad.
- He was hospitalized with a severe case of food poisoning.
Adjective
- very bad in degree or extent
- a severe worldwide depression
- the house suffered severe damage
- 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
- 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
- severely simple
- a stark interior
- very strong or vigorous
- strong winds
- a hard left to the chin
- a knockout punch
- a severe blow
- 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