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
Overall, the graves have slowly revealed new clues about the prehistoric society that lived in the region thousands of years ago. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025 Its route goes along the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street, where wreaths are laid at the graves of patriots including John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine and Paul Revere. Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
But nearly the entire medical establishment warns that slashing Medicaid and limiting access to medical care would have grave consequences for Americans’ health. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025 David Shannon drove up from Lexington, Kentucky, to show me the new grave marker for Bob Clark, a major league catcher for seven seasons in the late 19th century, including a stint with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 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
  • Visitors walk among ancient walls and tombs, uncovering stories that span from Roman London to World War II.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Known both as a common crop mold and a lurking danger in ancient tombs, its spores have been linked to mysterious deaths — from King Tutankhamun’s 1920s excavation to a 1970s Polish royal tomb incident that apparently killed several archaeologists.
    Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Using models, the authors estimated the impact of USAID funding on deaths from 2001 to 2021.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • The death was confirmed on Swaggart’s social media accounts Tuesday morning.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Five minutes later, officers found the 26-year-old dead with a gunshot wound.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Some 182 people with serious mental illness in the city jails are waiting for one of those beds, city correction officials said Thursday.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • So far, the project has helped some counties reduce their administrative separation populations by up to 90% through limiting isolation to cases of recent violence and banning the use of restrictive housing for people with serious mental illness.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the Santa Barbara temblor revealed just how dangerous brick buildings built in that era could be.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • After landing, the most dangerous times, statistically speaking, are takeoff, approach, and initial climb.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the procedural drama, Rodríguez brings to life a multi-layered and solemn character shaped by a traumatic childhood — abused within the foster care system, with no knowledge of his origins, and struggling with severe dyslexia.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • This protection -- known as the seal of confession -- is among the oldest and most solemn obligations in the Catholic Church, grounded in the Church’s teaching that, in the sacrament, penitents are confidentially confessing to and receiving forgiveness from God.
    Hiram Sasser, National Review, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • What people have not always had is either the awareness or deep enough pockets, which means FIFA should reduce prices and fill these stadiums.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • However, regulators wanted to take a deeper look and the issue dragged on.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • It's etched so clearly into their minds, and with an ever-growing slate of references across media, it's earned a long-term spot in the cultural zeitgeist.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 June 2025
  • And a young singer-songwriter from Oakland, Calif. was etching the first outlines of her music career.
    Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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