severity

noun
UK /sɪˈverəti/
US /səˈverəti/

How bad or serious something is.

The severity of the storm made everyone stay inside.

SYNONYMS

seriousnessharshnessintensitygravitysharpness

RELATED WORDS

strictnessextremityacutenesssternness

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The quality of being very strict or harsh.

The severity of the teacher's rules surprised the new students.

3. The plainness of something with no decoration.

The severity of the room's design made it feel cold.

4. The strength or force of something unpleasant.

Doctors measured the severity of his pain.