Population pressure continues to place a severe burden on productive capacity, creating a food deficit, especially of wheat.

The railway proved to be a severe economic burden that almost bankrupted the island.

The world's major economies now face a severe burden.

Blind regulations oblivious to the unintended consequences can be a severe burden on business.

Americans work longer than most Europeans and do not face as severe a burden from a population growing older.

Normally, that would be taken for granted, but Friday's concert had a severe symbolic burden.

Furthermore long years of homelessness, prison and/or prostitution constitute a severe burden.

Residents have criticized the plan, saying it would impose a severe burden on local schools that are already overcrowded.

This would impose a severe financial burden on the poor.

The Court held that the requirement did not amount to a "poll tax" or present a severe burden on voters.