grave 1 of 3

noun

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
Definition of gravenext
1
as in tomb
a final resting place for a dead person the forlorn boy put flowers on his mother's grave

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities a rock star who found his early grave in a plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dead
the state of being dead a terrible fear of the grave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grave

2 of 3

adjective

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury going over Niagara Falls poses a grave danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner when I asked him how his dog was doing, he looked grave and said, "Not good"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deep
having a low musical pitch or range a grave hexachord

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grave

3 of 3

verb

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
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
Archaeologists documented 41 finds at the site, including 13 urn graves, several cremation nests and several cremation burials with the remains of the funeral pyres, according to the release. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025 Then, the detainees were executed, dressed in rebel uniforms, and reported as combat kills with many buried in anonymous graves in cemeteries. —John Otis, NPR, 27 May 2025
Adjective
The escape itself raised grave questions about jail operations. —Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 24 May 2025 Unexpected grave goods The dirt block went through CT scans and X-rays at the University of Bradford before being sent to the York Archaeological Trust for a deeper analysis in November. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 May 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
  1. tomb
  2. death
  3. dead
  4. serious
  5. dangerous
  6. solemn
  7. deep
  8. etch
Noun
  • The city’s monuments, which include several royal palaces, ritual sites and tombs, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    — Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
  • The gravesite also houses the tombs of Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde and has long been a site for fans of the rocker to pay their respects in the area known as Poet's Corner. Paris' official tourism website states that crowds gather there on the anniversary of Morrison's death on July 3 every year.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • In her preemptive lawsuit filed first in 2023, Kruse alleged that Presley illegally walked out on their agreements when her financial circumstances changed in the wake of Lisa Marie Presley’s death.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
  • Nearly three months after their bodies were found at the summit of Bell Mountain in northern Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has ruled their deaths a double suicide.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • As Joel talks to Ellie, a different solemn moment unfolds in Salt Lake City, where the young survivors of Joel’s Firefly massacre bury their dead and try to figure out what happened.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, because the Romans cremated their dead for many years, archaeologists have not found many gladiator bodies.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • Nobody else can do what Isak does, but Newcastle lack serious backup at centre-forward.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • There were no serious injuries reported or arrests made among the crowd of about 500 teenagers.
    — David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.
    — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • An emergency room doctor explains why opioids are so dangerous. 2️⃣ ‘Absolute sh*tshow’: NASA scientists are in limbo after the Trump administration proposed eliminating the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
    — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump delivered a history-laden Memorial Day speech after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his remarks echoing against the solemn backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their family members.
    — Davis Winkie, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Easter can be a solemn event, but only the few days before.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
  • But its institutional foundations are older, deeper and more decentralized than those of many newer democracies.
    — Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • An image of one of the youngest hostages, Stuart Lockwood, having his hair stroked by Hussein is etched in many people’s memory.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 June 2025
  • There will be a new name etched on the trophy and the sentimentalists out there would be pushing for Kohli, who deserves the best man speech rather than being the bridesmaid again.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of etch

Browse Nearby Words

gratuity
grave
graved
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Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

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