severest

Very bad or intense.

Strict or harsh.

“a severe taskmaster”

Sober, plain in appearance, austere.

“a severe old maiden aunt”

To cut free.

“After he graduated, he severed all links to his family.”

To suffer disjunction; to be parted or separated.

To make a separation or distinction; to distinguish.

To disunite; to disconnect; to terminate.

“to sever an estate in joint tenancy”