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severely

severely

272 4.1
In a very bad or serious way
  • adverb
  • /sɪˈvɪrli/
translation icon : gravemente
  • The baby was severely injured in the accident and needed immediate medical care.
  • severely restricted
  • severely limited
  • severely affected

The child is the recipient of severely abusive sexual violence.

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Examples

  • In 1801, when Beethoven first discovered he was losing his hearing, he got severely depressed.

  • A lack of English-speaking ability severely inhibits the life of older adults.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Because three rate increases are going to severely affect real estate prices.

  • There are some people that are severely depressed.

  • I lost my friends, and I became really severely depressed.

  • Miss Williams, the boy has been severely poisoned.

  • Some patients may show little disability after 20 years, while others may be severely disabled after 10 years.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I shall reprimand them most severely.

  • In many cases, interest rates are low and severely distorted due to the effects of inflation.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Thus, they might be most severely affected overall by increases in motoring costs.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

extremely
vsseverely
1.0

To a very great degree

implies strictness or causing harm rather than just strong degree
seriously
vsseverely
606 1.6

To a very great degree

tends to imply strictness or causing harm rather than just intensity
badly
vsseverely
456 1.0

To a great degree

is more about strictness or punishment rather than negative outcome
heavily
vsseverely
320 1.0

To a large degree or too much

leans toward strictness or harmfulness rather than general excess
terribly
vsseverely
230 1.4

To a very great degree, often before words like cold or sad

suggests strictness or causing harm rather than mere emphasis
drastically
vsseverely
80 4.3

In a way that causes a very large and sudden change

is more about strictness or punishment than about big change
harshly
vsseverely
49 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

tends to indicate strictness or wide harm beyond mere unkind manner
gravely
vsseverely
34 4.6

In a very serious way that shows something is important

is about strictness or harmful effect rather than solemn tone

Antonyms

885 1.0

A little, not very much

372 1.0

To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise

92 2.7

To a small, gentle degree

How Severe

extremely
1.0
severely
272 4.1
moderately
47 2.8
mildly
92 2.7
slightly
885 1.0

Surface Forms

severely positive

Morphology

severely = severe (transparent) = severe + ly

Productive adverbial formation from the adjective 'severe' using the regular suffix '-ly' meaning 'in a severe manner'.

Etymology

Severely comes from the Latin severus, which means 'serious' or 'strict', and is the adverb form of severe. So to do something severely is to do it in a very strong, strict, or harmful way.