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SEVERELY

Pronunciation (US):

Dictionary entry overview: What does severely mean?

• SEVERELY (adverb)
The adverb SEVERELY has 3 senses:

1. to a severe or serious degree
2. with sternness; in a severe manner
3. causing great damage or hardship

Familiarity information: SEVERELY used as an adverb is uncommon.

Dictionary entry details

• SEVERELY (adverb)

Sense 1

severely ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

To a severe or serious degree

Synonyms:

badly; severely; gravely; seriously

Context examples:

fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated / badly injured / a severely impaired heart / is gravely ill / was seriously ill

Pertainym:

severe (intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality)

Sense 2

severely ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

With sternness; in a severe manner

Synonyms:

sternly; severely

Context examples:

'No,' she said sternly / peered severely over her glasses

Pertainym:

severe (unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment)

Sense 3

severely ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Causing great damage or hardship

Synonyms:

severely; hard

Context examples:

industries hit hard by the depression / she was severely affected by the bank's failure

Pertainym:

severe (very bad in degree or extent)

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