1
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
I'm serious when I say that no one should be walking in that neighborhood at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having a matter of importance as its topic
a very serious film that dealt with the aftermath of the Gulf War
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a serious accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serious
British voters who are angry with their government might find some small consolation in the fact that on their side of the Atlantic Ocean, ethical lapses can still carry a serious political price.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
But regardless of the motive, there are serious penalties at stake for those placing these swatting calls, Boyce said.
—ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
More serious collectors may prefer waddling to the local Cars & Coffee with an earlier VW, recalling a kinder, gentler, and far slower-paced time than our present age.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Pediatricians, though, are particularly concerned about the risk to children younger than 2, who are at serious risk of severe complications from COVID-19.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
But regardless of the motive, there are serious penalties at stake for those placing these swatting calls, Boyce said.
—ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
More serious collectors may prefer waddling to the local Cars & Coffee with an earlier VW, recalling a kinder, gentler, and far slower-paced time than our present age.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Pediatricians, though, are particularly concerned about the risk to children younger than 2, who are at serious risk of severe complications from COVID-19.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
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Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plants captured more carbon without drawing more water, an important factor for real-world applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Responding firefighters discovered Maureen in the living room with severe burns, a fractured larynx and soot in her airway, the DA's office said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Stroud isn’t blameless in the Texans’ severe pass-protection issues dating to last year.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Housed in a tube that’s significantly bigger than most brow gels, the fatter, curved side of the spoolie brush applies the product and fluffs up brows, while the flat side arranges arches.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Save from isolated slip-ups, all addressed by and mended with the captain, there were no big issues.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Try dropping these items at a local hazardous waste disposal site.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Sep. 2025
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Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company’s events tend to skew earnest for fashion, and this one was no exception, beginning with an address by Yanai—translated live from Japanese, via headsets—featuring various charts and graphs.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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His interest in deescalation seemed earnest and pleading.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with 84% of people perceiving government corruption to be a major problem.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Atlanta carrier plummeted from first place in 2022 to seventh in 2024 — the biggest drop of any major airline.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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