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
Gein was a notorious murderer in the 1950s who not only went on a killing spree but also exhumed graves to use human remains to craft household items and clothing. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025 O’Steen bludgeoned Marissa Grimes, dug a shallow grave for her under his house in west Fort Worth and for 10 days lived above where police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body, prosecutors have argued that the evidence shows. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This is a grave miscalculation that is bound to backfire. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Israel vows to expand Gaza push Israeli officials said the country’s army had taken control of 40% of Gaza City, with experts warning the offensive could exacerbate one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 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 2,300-year-old tomb had two rooms — an entrance chamber and a burial chamber — originally connected with a double door, archaeologists said.
    — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The animal was originally a zhènmùshòu, a monumental, fierce, lion-like tomb guardian from the Tang Dynasty, the authors speculate.
    — Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • Leaders from around the world mourned the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated at a Utah university Wednesday.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement ‘This is war’ Several on the right have likened Kirk’s death to a declaration of war.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • It was built to honor the Confederate dead of Chowan County.
    — Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • And at what point will the FO/Doc accept that—even with Conforto’s lucky strike last night—no serious team can use a Conforto-Pages-Teo outfield—in the field and at the plate—and hope to contend in the way this team should?
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.
    — Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2025
  • During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.
    — Talbott Roche, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • On Monday, her husband, the Duke of Kent, and daughter Lady Helen Taylor appeared solemn as her coffin was taken by hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral for a private vigil.
    — Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • No happening is too solemn, in this world, for a heaping portion of unabashed self-promotion.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Frequently, capital comes with deep industry roots — a former music executive backing a music startup, or a healthcare veteran funding a medtech company.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Subprime borrowers and deep subprime borrowers are not likely to buy new cars.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • Authorities revealed on Friday antifascist slogans and video game references were etched onto bullet casings from the gun the suspect used to kill Charlie Kirk.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Kraft Mac & Cheese, Lunchables, Capri Sun, Jell-O and Heinz ketchup are names etched into American childhoods.
    — Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.

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