serious implies a concern for what really matters.
a serious play about social injustice
grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.
read the proclamation in a grave voice
solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.
a sad and solemn occasion
sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.
remained sedate amid the commotion
staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.
a quiet and staid community
sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.
a sober look at the state of our schools
earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.
an earnest reformer
Examples of sedate in a Sentence
Adjective
We walked the beach at a sedate pace.
He remained sedate under pressure. Verb
The doctor sedated the patient heavily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Addressing a sedate audience in suits and ties, the Vice President outlined plans to strengthen small businesses, cut taxes on the middle class, and build more affordable housing.—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024 The more sedate Secure VPN simply reports when you’re connected, but the effect is the same.—PCMAG, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
Worried Lois would discover what had happened to him, Virginia then sedated her mother with the same medication before killing her by beating her with a hammer and stabbing her several times.—Bailey Richards, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024 Buzbee also mentioned that many of his clients alleged that Diddy used horse tranquilizers to sedate them.—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sedate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sedate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Latin sedatus, from past participle of sedare to calm; akin to sedēre to sit — more at sit
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