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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of staid are earnest, grave, sedate, serious, sober, and solemn. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Where would earnest be a reasonable alternative to staid?

While the synonyms earnest and staid are close in meaning, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When can grave be used instead of staid?

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

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When is sedate a more appropriate choice than staid?

The meanings of sedate and staid largely overlap; however, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

In what contexts can serious take the place of staid?

The words serious and staid can be used in similar contexts, but serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

When could sober be used to replace staid?

In some situations, the words sober and staid are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When would solemn be a good substitute for staid?

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

a sad and solemn occasion

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 staid Integration jobs are already on the rise, according to LinkedIn’s Raman, even if their titles are fairly staid. Robert Capps Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 17 June 2025 While institutional holdings have ticked up, and now sit just under 49%, Tesla remains somewhat under-owned by the biggest money managers compared to more staid tech names. Catherine Baab, Quartz, 5 June 2025 That approach amps up the comedy, especially the prevailing idea that the largely inoffensive Chad could be any kind of real threat to the staid little onstage community. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025 There was no single issue bonding together these early trailblazers other than a desire to offer an alternative view on clubs whose media coverage was largely restricted to the back page of the local newspaper and a rather staid, flimsy matchday programme. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for staid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staid
Adjective
  • Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.
    Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
  • China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
  • The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Away from football, this has more serious ramifications.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The event will bestow the iconic BAFTA mask upon three distinguished honorees, marking only the sixth time that the BAFTA mask is awarded in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for BAFTA North America.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Friendly House will grant each honoree a separate award for their distinguished efforts and accomplishments.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid the Yankees' slump, Boone's leadership, managing style and willingness to be stern with players have all been questioned.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The witness said Berrios was stern about handling the situation with Torres by herself.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Brzezinski exuded an air of confidence, his dignified, hawklike profile and clipped speech befitting the descendant of a family that traced its origins to a centuries-old line of Polish nobility.
    Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The songs were still scrappy and homespun, a set of dignified demos, but their magic was unmistakable.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
  • More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.
    Rebecca Solnit August 23, Literary Hub, 23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The psychological drama, which stars Satya Dev in the title role, showcases an elaborate poster featuring the actor in aristocratic regalia surrounded by peacock feathers and ornate details.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The $80,000 price tag includes two people and almost all expenses, including five-star accommodations and a range of one-of-a-kind activities that immerse travelers in Italian culture, history, and aristocratic lifestyle, all in the lap of luxury.
    Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Staid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staid. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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