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Severe vs Detrimental - What's the difference?

severe | detrimental |

As adjectives the difference between severe and detrimental

is that severe is severe, harsh while detrimental is causing damage or harm.

severe

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Very bad or intense.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
  • , author=Donald Worster , title=A Drier and Hotter Future , volume=100, issue=1, page=70 , magazine= citation , passage=Phoenix and Lubbock are both caught in severe drought, and it is going to get much worse. We may see many such [dust] storms in the decades ahead, along with species extinctions, radical disturbance of ecosystems, and intensified social conflict over land and water. Welcome to the Anthropocene, the epoch when humans have become a major geological and climatic force.}}
  • Strict or harsh.
  • Sober, plain in appearance, austere.
  • Synonyms

    * brutal * extreme * hard * harsh * intense * rigorous * serious

    Antonyms

    * (very bad or intense) mild * (very bad or intense) minor * (strict or harsh) lenient

    Derived terms

    * severely (adverb) * severity (noun) * severeness (noun)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    detrimental

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing damage or harm.
  • Smoking tobacco can be detrimental to your health.

    Synonyms

    * (causing damage or harm) harmful, injurious; see also

    Antonyms

    * (causing damage or harm) beneficial