severity

[səˈverəti]

severity Definition

  • 1the fact or condition of being severe
  • 2the extreme degree or extent of something

Using severity: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "severity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The severity of the storm caused widespread damage.

  • Example

    The doctor assessed the severity of the patient's injuries.

  • Example

    The company is facing the full severity of the economic downturn.

  • Example

    The severity of the punishment was meant to deter others from committing the same crime.

severity Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for severity

Idioms Using severity

  • to make something less harsh or serious

    Example

    The manager tried to soften the severity of the layoff by offering severance packages.

  • to take something very seriously

    Example

    The company took the security breach with severity and implemented new measures to prevent it from happening again.

  • to experience the full extent or consequences of something, usually negative

    Example

    The company is facing the severity of the pandemic with layoffs and budget cuts.

Phrases with severity

  • the extent or level of how severe something is

    Example

    The degree of severity of the disease varies from person to person.

  • a numerical scale used to measure the severity of a particular event or condition

    Example

    The severity index for the earthquake was off the charts.

  • the degree of seriousness or harshness in someone's voice or manner

    Example

    The teacher's severity of tone made the students realize the importance of the lesson.

Origins of severity

from Latin 'severitas', meaning 'harshness'

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Summary: severity in Brief

The term 'severity' [səˈverəti] refers to the degree or extent of how severe something is. It can be used to describe the seriousness of a situation or the harshness of a punishment. The phrase 'degree of severity' is often used to indicate the level of severity of a particular event or condition. Idioms like 'to soften the severity of something' and 'to take something with severity' are used to describe ways of dealing with harsh or serious situations.