severely
In strict fashion
Severely means to a serious, extreme, or harsh degree.
When someone is severely injured, the damage is significant; when they're severely punished, the penalty is harsh.
The word often intensifies negative conditions: severely limited, severely damaged, severely depressed.
It can also describe a stern manner of speaking or acting: She looked at him severely and told him to leave.
The adverb pairs naturally with words suggesting restriction, criticism, or harm.
To an intense degree
- drasticallyTo an extreme extent
- gravelyIn serious manner
- acutelyWith sharp intensity
- profoundlyTo an extreme degree
seriously · critically · intensely · greatly · markedly · significantly · substantially · considerably
In severe manner
- strictlyWithout any flexibility
- sternlyIn a severe manner
- rigidlyIn an unyielding manner
- austerelyWithout embellishment or excess
uncompromisingly · mercilessly · ruthlessly · brutally · relentlessly · unforgivingly · stringently · rigorously
Weakened in function
- damagedMade worse by injury
- injuredHaving sustained harm
- woundedHaving sustained harm
- affectedArtificially contrived behavior
compromised · weakened · debilitated · harmed · crippled · disabled · handicapped · traumatized
Penalized for misbehavior
- penalizedGiven a disadvantage for violation
- reprimandedOfficially expressed disapproval
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
- sentencedGiven punishment legally
sanctioned · fined · chastised · rebuked · censured · admonished · condemned · castigated
In poor health
- sickUnwell or impressively cool
- afflictedSuffering from something harmful
- strickenSeriously affected by adversity
- ailingIn poor health
suffering · incapacitated · bedridden · hospitalized · symptomatic · critical · terminal · chronic
extremely
To an intense degree
- drasticallyTo an extreme extent
- gravelyIn serious manner
- acutelyWith sharp intensity
profoundly · seriously · critically · intensely · greatly · markedly · significantly · substantially · considerably · tremendously
harshly
In severe manner
austerely · uncompromisingly · mercilessly · ruthlessly · brutally · relentlessly · unforgivingly · stringently · rigorously · inflexibly
impaired
Weakened in function
affected · compromised · weakened · debilitated · harmed · crippled · disabled · handicapped · traumatized · scarred
punished
Penalized for misbehavior
- penalizedGiven a disadvantage for violation
- reprimandedOfficially expressed disapproval
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
sentenced · sanctioned · fined · chastised · rebuked · censured · admonished · condemned · castigated · judged
ill
In poor health
- sickUnwell or impressively cool
- afflictedSuffering from something harmful
- strickenSeriously affected by adversity
ailing · suffering · incapacitated · bedridden · hospitalized · symptomatic · critical · terminal · chronic · acute
severelyleniently
With tolerance, not severity
gently · mercifully · mildly · clemently · tolerantly
severelymildly
In a gentle way
slightly · lightly · minimally · moderately · marginally
- severe weatherDangerous atmospheric phenomena
- severe painAcute physical distress
- severe thunderstormIntense storm with lightning
- severe depressionDebilitating mood disorder
- severe weather alertNotice of dangerous atmospheric conditions
- severe bleedingDangerous rapid blood loss