grave 1 of 3

grave

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in serious
having a matter of importance as its topic leaving gossip and celebrities to other magazines, this journal focuses on the grave issues confronting the nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

grave

3 of 3

verb

as in to etch
to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface the doomed climber graved his initials into the rock face

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of grave are earnest, sedate, serious, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When can earnest be used instead of grave?

The synonyms earnest and grave are sometimes interchangeable, but earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

Where would sedate be a reasonable alternative to grave?

The words sedate and grave can be used in similar contexts, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When would serious be a good substitute for grave?

While the synonyms serious and grave are close in meaning, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

In what contexts can sober take the place of grave?

Although the words sober and grave have much in common, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When is solemn a more appropriate choice than grave?

The words solemn and grave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When might staid be a better fit than grave?

In some situations, the words staid and grave 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 grave
Noun
Someone is always spinning in his grave. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Where most people would rather skirt past their most embarrassing moments and take all their biggest faux pas to the grave, Joe Jonas puts it all out there. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The city hired a company named Richard Grubb & Associates for a historical investigation, genealogical research, grave identification, excavation and reinterment, said Monroe Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells, who managed the project. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2025 But cattle industry losses aren't the only grave risk from the vicious parasites. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Better yet, the superstar—who recently graved our TV screens on The White Lotus—worked with stylist Brett Alan Nelson to deliver custom outfits for the set. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grave
Noun
  • In 2004, two 6-foot-tall statues of Chinese soldiers — a gift from sister city Xi’an, and replicas of some of the 7,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors found at the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang — were installed at the north end of the bridge.
    Eric Adler August 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Roskilde’s stately cathedral stands solemn and proud—its royal tombs steeped in centuries of candlelit reverence—while chalk-white Møns Klint plunges into the deep Baltic blue, where fossil hunters comb the shore and peregrine falcons wheel overhead.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This time, Charles, Oliver and Mabel investigate the death of their building's beloved doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), which may or may not have involved foul play and may or may not be connected to the mob.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Later that night, someone stole five chickens from the park and left a sixth dead.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Thankfully, the most recent accident was less serious, and Sabrina and their unborn child were ultimately okay.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have dispatched their only serious rival in three straight majors, largely making every other match at these tournaments feel almost immaterial.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The illness prevents her body from producing platelets, leaving her at constant risk of dangerous bleeding.
    Liz Neporent, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2025
  • But that wasn't the most dangerous thing that happened to me.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • At any rate, those are the types of academics who populate After the Hunt, Luca Guadagnino’s cartoonishly solemn drama, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • White oak White oak is a large shade tree displays deep red to coppery-brown fall color.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since 2012, certain players and games are forever etched in the memories of those who watched.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The fragrance comes in a black bottle with metallic gold and copper details and his signature etched across the front.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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