strict, severe, harsh
Ne soyez pas trop sévères avec lui.
Don't be too hard on him.
J'ai eu à subir de nombreuses attaques sévères.
I had to endure many severe attacks.
— Oppenheimer (2023)
Ses critiques furent très sévères.
His criticisms were very severe.
Ma tante Betsey était une grande dame aux traits sévères.
My aunt Betsey was a tall lady with severe features.
— L'Histoire personnelle de David Copperfield (2019)
Les esclaves de cette époque avaient souvent des maîtres sévères.
Slaves of this era often had strict masters.