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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Peter can’t hurt anyone else now—not from the grave. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025 The man allegedly dug a three-foot, unmarked grave on the side of a rural Napa County road and placed Jamari Madkins, the boy he is suspected of killing, inside. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Around that time, Abrams also followed some of TikTok's other grave cleaners, specifically, @ladytaphos, who Abrams touts as the original TikTok grave cleaner. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 While some of the facts regarding this case are still unfolding, the implications could be grave, Snyder said. —Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Las acciones de Google son especialmente insensibles y graves ante el cierre administrativo temporal del gobierno (shutdown), ignorando las peticiones de funcionarios gubernamentales y organizaciones hispanas que les solicitaron mantener la programación de Univision en el paquete principal. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 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 Suleymaniye Mosque is considered Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan's most splendid Istanbul mosque, and he himself is buried in a tomb nearby.
    — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But now, winners of the lottery will be granted the opportunity to buy and restore one of 30 tombs in three different cemeteries, with city hall agreeing to lease the corresponding burial plot to those who meet certain standards.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • The Little Rock man who, police say, crashed while fleeing from an Arkansas State Police trooper last week now faces first-degree murder counts in the death of two teenage passengers, authorities said Wednesday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In short, at the heart within the kernel of concern for memory is a concern for death.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • And yet Maram wanted to be there—to stand with her family members in those first fragile moments of quiet, to celebrate our survival and mourn our dead.
    — Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Four people were arrested in Conway on Tuesday in relation to a Saturday shooting that left a 17-year-old dead, a news release from Conway police says.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.
    — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Two decades ago, when the NFL's base offense consisted of two backs with a blocking tight end and only two wide receivers, an elite cornerback could often take away half of the dangerous receiving options.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • While solemn Veterans Day remembrance ceremonies were taking place at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Tuesday, people were also there observing the holiday by making replicas of poppies.
    — Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The solemn occasion is a time to reflect on these American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Gjoshe had suffered a deep wound to his upper arm and had to wait until Tuesday for surgery.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • Does this mean the Canon must be etched in stone, never to change for all history?
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
  • With his commanding win, the democratic socialist will etch his place in history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage and the first born in Africa.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 2025.

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