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
Enid is all set to stay chill and human come full-moon night, but when Isaac tries to kill Wednesday by burying her alive, Enid sacrifices herself by transforming into her werewolf self and becoming strong enough to dig Wednesday out of the grave. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 At the behest of her beloved Grandmama, Wednesday visits Rosaline’s grave in the hopes of restoring her psychic sight and tracking down Tyler’s monstrosity of a family. Andy Swift, TVLine, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
That’s when Miami County Attorney Kenton Harding stepped in to share his grave concerns about how the school board was conducting business. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025 But as Adamala and her colleagues talked with biosecurity experts about the project, grave concerns began brewing. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 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
Noun
  • Acutis' tomb in Assisi—his body displayed in a wax replica and dressed in casual clothes and sneakers—has become a major pilgrimage site, and relics associated with him have toured internationally.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
  • His tomb is livestreamed 24/7 via a webcam.
    Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • Boynton Beach Fire Rescue pronounced Civitano dead at the scene.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Later that night, someone stole five chickens from the park and left a sixth dead.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Thankfully, the most recent accident was less serious, and Sabrina and their unborn child were ultimately okay.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have dispatched their only serious rival in three straight majors, largely making every other match at these tournaments feel almost immaterial.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Whatever happens in their final qualifier, against Argentina on Tuesday, La Tri will travel to the World Cup next summer as one of South America’s most dangerous teams.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To dissidents, she has been seen as a hero putting her life on the line; to Modi’s supporters, as a dangerous subversive who is anti-national and anti-Hindu.
    Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • White oak White oak is a large shade tree displays deep red to coppery-brown fall color.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since 2012, certain players and games are forever etched in the memories of those who watched.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The fragrance comes in a black bottle with metallic gold and copper details and his signature etched across the front.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!