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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Archaeologists documented 41 finds at the site, including 13 urn graves, several cremation nests and several cremation burials with the remains of the funeral pyres, according to the release. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025 Then, the detainees were executed, dressed in rebel uniforms, and reported as combat kills with many buried in anonymous graves in cemeteries. —John Otis, NPR, 27 May 2025
Adjective
The escape itself raised grave questions about jail operations. —Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 24 May 2025 Unexpected grave goods The dirt block went through CT scans and X-rays at the University of Bradford before being sent to the York Archaeological Trust for a deeper analysis in November. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 May 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 city’s monuments, which include several royal palaces, ritual sites and tombs, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    — Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
  • The gravesite also houses the tombs of Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde and has long been a site for fans of the rocker to pay their respects in the area known as Poet's Corner. Paris' official tourism website states that crowds gather there on the anniversary of Morrison's death on July 3 every year.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • Nearly three months after their bodies were found at the summit of Bell Mountain in northern Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has ruled their deaths a double suicide.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
  • Nearly three months after 19-year-old twin brothers were found dead atop a mountain in northern Georgia, authorities have ruled their deaths a double suicide.
    — Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 May 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • 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
  • However, because the Romans cremated their dead for many years, archaeologists have not found many gladiator bodies.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • Created by a Benedictine monk with a serious eye for detail, this whimsical stop features 125 tiny, handcrafted replicas of famous historic landmarks, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all located on the grounds of Alabama’s only Benedictine monastery, St. Bernard Abbey.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
  • Seven restaurants were closed because of serious health violations: Chuys Restaurant, 4441 River Oaks Blvd., had a score of 27 and was closed because of unsafe temperatures in the restaurant’s cold storage units.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Cruise’s wing-walking sequence was somehow even more dangerous.
    — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
  • Even ejecting from the aircraft can be dangerous and traumatic.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 May 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump delivered a history-laden Memorial Day speech after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his remarks echoing against the solemn backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their family members.
    — Davis Winkie, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Easter can be a solemn event, but only the few days before.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Simone is damaged and buoyant simultaneously, and the young actress shows a deep maturity in the portrayal of the character's complex mental and emotional state.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Organizations that view trust as something to be actively built rather than passively maintained will gain the social capital needed to weather controversies and drive deeper mission impact.
    — Lynn Godfrey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • An artisan was hired to etch the enchanted forest ice design on the jar, which is central to the film’s plot.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 May 2025
  • Jurors were also shown close-up photos of gun components where the serial numbers were etched off.
    — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 21 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.

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