severely

[suh-veer-lee]

adverb

1. in a very stern, strict, or harsh way.

   One day he was caught taking a few pieces of scrap wood and was severely punished with two weeks of hard labor.

2. to a grave, far-reaching, or critical degree; seriously.

   Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and medications on their own.

3. in a very simple, plain, or austere style or manner.

   She wore her hair severely tied back in a ponytail and refused to wear anything feminine.

4. in a very challenging or exacting way that is difficult to endure.

   The Great Depression severely tested the parish, as the church building was almost lost to creditors.

5. to a distressing or highly uncomfortable degree.

   Much of North America experiences periods of severely cold weather and is susceptible to snow and ice storms.

Other Word Forms

• overseverely adverb
• superseverely adverb
• unseverely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of severely¹

severe ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has also severely hampered rescue efforts, according to another aid organisation, World Vision.

From BBC

A court orders that a trust be set up to manage a financial award made to her severely disabled son, reportedly from the NHS, linked to his premature birth.

From BBC

He was severely burned and a close friend was killed.

From BBC

"At this stage there is no evidence any customer data has been stolen but our retail and production activities have been severely disrupted."

From BBC

During the seven weeks he lived with them, he became severely malnourished, dehydrated, and had more than 40 injuries on his body when he died.

From BBC

Related Words

• acutely 
• badly 
• critically 
• dangerously www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• firmly 
• markedly 
• painfully www.thesaurus.com
• seriously 
• sharply www.thesaurus.com
• sorely 
• sternly 
• strictly