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a serious injury
a significant injury
a severe injury
a substantial injury
a major injury
an intense injury
serious questions
legitimate questions
sincere questions
genuine questions
sensible questions
tough questions
a serious concern
a substantial concern
a significant concern
a considerable concern
a major concern
an important concern
serious doubts
immense doubts
strong doubts
severe doubts
massive doubts
a serious effort
a huge effort
a considerable effort
a substantial effort
a real effort
a sincere effort

Synonym Chooser

How is the word serious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of serious are earnest, grave, sedate, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

In what contexts can earnest take the place of serious?

Although the words earnest and serious have much in common, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When would grave be a good substitute for serious?

While in some cases nearly identical to serious, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When is it sensible to use sedate instead of serious?

While the synonyms sedate and serious are close in meaning, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

Where would sober be a reasonable alternative to serious?

The words sober and serious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When might solemn be a better fit than serious?

The synonyms solemn and serious are sometimes interchangeable, but solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is staid a more appropriate choice than serious?

In some situations, the words staid and serious are roughly equivalent. However, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of serious That does not mean our state capitol is lacking for some serious hardball. Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025 Almeida had a bloodied hand at the finish but wasn’t showing visible signs of a serious injury. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025 And finally, a tree with serious diseases or pests that might infect the rest of the neighborhood should be removed as soon as possible. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 July 2025 The report cited Biden's sleep apnea treatment and stiffened gait from arthritis, but mentioned no serious ailments. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
  • Its fun-first identity is part of the draw in a market flooded with solemn storytelling and dusty barrels.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Moderator Whoopi Goldberg opened the show with a solemn acknowledgment of the disaster, urging viewers in affected areas to stay safe and tune in for information on how to help.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Burch said an important part of helping someone experiencing intimate partner violence is to give them back their sense of power and control.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 July 2025
  • In our highly partisan political moment, civics education is perhaps more important than ever.
    John Fund, National Review, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • While air temperatures on Friday were forecasted in the 70s, water temperatures in the region remained in the dangerous mid-50s range.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Don’t forget the sunscreen Looking toward the rest of that sun protection, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will often be sufficient to protect your skin from dangerous UV radiation.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • At least one worker was hospitalized with severe injuries.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • Climate change is intensifying the global water cycle, leading to more frequent and severe flooding and drought.
    Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Through their new Up Payment program, Progressive is helping more first-time and first-gen buyers take that first big step. Take out your phones and scan the QR code on the screen — or visit progressive.com/openthehouse — to start your journey today.
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • The former professional baseball player created a big alliance of six people early on in the game and proceeded to add two more names without letting anyone else in the alliance know.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • By taking on hazardous or monotonous jobs, AEON allows human workers to focus on higher-value activities, helping companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • The group is so deep — and perhaps has sustained so much injured attrition over the past two years — that the earnest fan could probably name nine offensive lineman off the top of their head.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
  • Keen home cook Erin Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer — but ended with three guests dead.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • With The Hartford being one of Main Street America’s major sponsors, the local organization could eligible for additional funding in the future, Fukala said.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Why Verification Matters Imagine an AI agent tasked with reconciling expenses for a major corporation.
    Calum Chace, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on serious

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