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
When the dead start rising from their graves, the townspeople are caught off guard. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025 In a nice touch, Sandler and company pay homage to some of the now deceased members of the 1996 film including a clever fight scene in a cemetery right above Bob Barker’s grave, as well as to Carl Weathers’ Chubb, Frances Bay’s Grandma and Richard Kiel’s Mr. Larson. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Adjective
The Lebanese have never seen accountability for any of the country's gravest crimes. Lynn Zovighian, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 Without clean water or functioning sewage systems, cholera, diarrhea, and severe dehydration pose grave risks. Juwayriah Wright, Time, 30 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
  • That includes 100,000 artifacts, one of which will be the famed tomb of King Tutankhamun; the entire collection of Tut’s tomb will be on display for the first time since its discovery back in 1922.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The exact size of the tombs was not provided but, based on photos from the excavation, the structures are roughly child-sized.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • He was sentenced to death and remains on death row at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • After mourners left thousands of tributes to the late heavy metal legend on Black Sabbath Bridge in Ozzy’s native Birmingham, England following his death from a heart attack on July 22 at age 76, those flowers and keepsakes have been preserved and cataloged for posterity.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • While conducting a sweep of nearby buildings, university police found the 14-year-old dead at Casas del Rio, a student housing center in Albuquerque.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • Corrections officers found the 37-year-old dead from an apparent suicide in his cell Saturday, days before the hearing, where prosecutors were expected to outline the case against him.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 14 July 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
  • That said, the Revolution had promising spells of attacking play and even looked the more dangerous side in the first half.
    Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
  • In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
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
  • But this may be FIU’s deepest position with players such as Antonio Patterson, Shamir Sterlin, Sadonnie Gay and Jessiah McGrew pushing for playing time.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Yale model’s 1.8% price impact aligns with retail plans: selective increases in metal-heavy and electronics-adjacent categories, balanced by deeper promotions and expanded private-label offerings to keep key price points stable.
    Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Lozada is exceptional in the lead role, delivering lines like flames being etched in the sky.
    Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Grief has etched itself too many times into their faces to remain visible.
    Alaa Alqaisi August 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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