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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 But the Emmy Award-winning journalist and actress's wellness journey started years prior, after dealing with serious health issues. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 25 Oct. 2025 There have been several serious incidents involving the illicit trade in nuclear materials in Georgia over recent decades. CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 Salmonella rarely results in more serious ailments, which can include arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 From The Associated Press to ESPN, and countless talking heads, both the ACC and Big 12 continue to suffer from a serious media problem that has them both just barely ahead of the Group of Five. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
  • With interest growing significantly in recent years, attendees are reminded that this is a solemn event.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The elephants were more solemn and inward-looking than we are typically shown, the zebras startlingly intricate and finely drawn.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Oceans 11 star said that being in such close proximity to major stars taught him an important lesson early in his career.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • For Arsenal, consistency of performances and results is so important to Arteta, with the 43-year-old often highlighting its significance in building them back to being one of Europe’s elite sides.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But the succession crisis that her sudden and dangerous illness had brought to the fore would dominate the rest of her long reign.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Systems can be configured to identify signs of structural weaknesses, gas leaks, and other potentially dangerous stimuli emerging in hazardous areas and send data-rich alerts to operators suggesting a response.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Most aneurysms are symptom-free, but sudden severe headaches or vision changes can signal a life-threatening rupture.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Noah was born with fluid in his brain, a condition called hydrocephalus, which caused severe medical complications and ongoing neurological problems.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For a writer of a book that’s politically informed and deals with culture and history, this creates a big problem.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • All eyes were on how the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies would sort out their differences on a range of topics from soybeans and fentanyl to rare earth minerals and high-end computer chips.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Because the vapors are hazardous, scattering moth balls around your closet is always unsafe.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In several messages, officials cautioned that high-profile vehicles could face difficulty on roadways, and travel may be hazardous.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His antics, which include hysterical subway-riding tutorials and his earnest but confounding interventions, come from a good place.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
  • If the sale is canceled, the seller may be able to keep the earnest money deposit, depending on state law.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Oceans 11 star said that being in such close proximity to major stars taught him an important lesson early in his career.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Later, Owsley Brown II served as board president during major funding drives to build the theater's facilities.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on serious

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