severer

Stricter, more unforgiving

Severer is the comparative form of severe, meaning more severe.

A severer punishment is harsher than another.

Severer weather is more extreme.

The form is grammatically correct but often avoided in favor of more severe, which sounds less awkward to many speakers.

strict

stricter

More demanding, less forgiving

harsherMore severe or unkind
rigorousExtremely thorough and careful
stringentSeverely exact and demanding

stern · demanding · exacting · draconian · inflexible · rigid · unyielding · unbending · tougher · firmer

harsh

crueler

More disposed to harshness

harsherMore severe or unkind
grimmerMore severe or bleak
bleakerMore devoid of cheer

starker · rougher · tougher

cutter

slicer

Tool that divides thinly

dividerThing that partitions
cutterOne who severs
separatorSomething that divides

cleaver · trimmer · splitter · dissector · pruner · lopper · bisector

Opposites

intensity/harshness

severermilder

Less intense or harsh

gentler · lighter · softer · tamer · easier

leniency in judgment or punishment

severergentler

More softly inclined

kinder · warmer · friendlier · softer · laxer

Phrases

severe weatherDangerous atmospheric phenomena
severe painAcute physical distress
severe thunderstormIntense storm with lightning
severing tiesEnding a relationship completely
severe depressionDebilitating mood disorder
severe weather alertNotice of dangerous atmospheric conditions

Family

severe, severity, severely, severing, severs, severest, dissever

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G