English word
Severe
Definitions
adjective
- strict in judgment, discipline, or government
- requiring great effort : arduous
- of a great degree
- of a strict or stern bearing or manner : austere
- rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement : stringent
- strongly critical or condemnatory
- maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or self-discipline
- establishing exacting standards of accuracy and integrity in intellectual processes
- sober or restrained in decoration or manner : plain
- causing discomfort or hardship : harsh
- very painful or harmful
Synonyms for severe
Closest evidence-backed alternatives.
Synonyms by context
Imposing or constituting a physical, mental, or figurative load
adjective
- cruel
- oppressive
- inexorable
- relentless
Significant in the degree of importance or seriousness, typically requiring immediate action or attention
adjective
Demanding great ability, skill, or resilience
adjective
- demanding
- challenging
- exacting
- punishing
- taxing
- arduous
- grueling
- laborious
Antonyms for severe
Opposite of imposing or constituting a physical, mental, or figurative load
Opposite of significant in the degree of importance or seriousness, typically requiring immediate action or attention
- trivial
- unimportant
- inconsiderable
- insignificant
- irrelevant
- nugatory
- picayune
- trifling
- immaterial
- inconsequential
Opposite of demanding great ability, skill, or resilience
- manageable
- simple
- effortless
- painless
- straightforward
- unchallenging
- uncomplicated
- uninvolved
- basic
Phrases
- free and easy
- laid back
- out and out
- out of proportion
- over the top
- rough going
- too much
- very bad