extreme

Compared meaning: very great in degree (adjective).

比较义项：程度极端、严重（形容词）。

• extreme 本词

  Marks something at the far end of a scale or far from normal; can be neutral or even positive, used for conditions, opinions, measures, or temperatures.

  指处于某种尺度的极端或远离正常范围，语气可以是中性甚至略带正面，常用于描述条件、观点、措施或温度等。

  Extreme temperatures in the desert swing from scorching heat to freezing cold.

  沙漠里极端的气温从酷热骤变为严寒。

• severe

  Marks something as harsh and intense, almost always negative in tone; typically collocates with damage, pain, illness, weather, or punishment.

  指程度剧烈、令人难以承受，语气几乎总是负面的，常与损害、疼痛、疾病、天气或惩罚等搭配使用。

  The severe drought devastated crops across the entire region this year.

  严重的干旱摧毁了整个地区今年的农作物。

Extreme and severe both describe a very great degree. Extreme marks something far from normal, often neutral, used for conditions, opinions, or temperatures. Severe marks something harsh and intense, usually negative, common with damage, pain, or illness. Not compared: severe meaning strict, like a critic.

这两个词都可以形容程度非常大，但侧重点不同：extreme强调远离正常范围，语气可以是中性甚至略带正面，常用于描述条件、观点、措施或温度；severe强调程度剧烈、令人难以承受，语气几乎总是负面的，常与损害、疼痛、疾病或天气等搭配。这里不比较severe表示“严厉的、苛刻的”这一义项（如severe critic严厉的评论家）。