GRAVITAS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

gravitas

noun

Definition of gravitas

as in gravity

formal a very serious quality or manner The new leader has an air of gravitas that commands respect. a comic actress who lacks the gravitas for dramatic roles

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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 gravitas Henriksen plays his part to the hilt here, bringing a gravitas that few actors would consider bringing to the role of a shoot-'em-up movie villain. — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2023 Singer-songwriter-keyboardist McVie took an important role in its multi-platinum efforts, with her warmth and gravitas balancing the contributions of her younger new bandmates. — Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Nov. 2022 Tell me about filming that scene and bringing the proper gravitas to a moment like that. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2022 The 66-year-old Showalter brought a sense of stability and gravitas to a franchise that had been saddled with on- and off-the-field issues over the past several seasons. — David Brandt, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for gravitas

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravitas

Noun

Football players frequently experience impacts that briefly subject their brains to as much as 180 times the pull of gravity (G).

— Mike McRae September 15, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
So when the foreground star passes almost exactly in front of the more distant one, its gravity bends some of the background star’s light toward you.

— Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of gravity

Noun

She is considered the Canadian equivalent to the Down Under disco queen Kylie Minogue by some, and recalls a young Taylor Swift for her unabashed earnestness.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
But the razzle-dazzle pairs oddly with his earnestness, as do the video projections with antique furnishings.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of earnestness

Noun

There’s a lot that happens, there’s a lot of death hanging over this season, so there’s a seriousness to it, as well as all the fun.

— Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
In all seriousness, the Jays probably need at least one starting pitcher and one mid-lineup bat.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of seriousness

Noun

Fourth, the law needs to give homeowners enough time to challenge incorrect determinations.

— Michael Wolfe, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

By May 2026, all 11 of xAI’s original cofounders had departed the company, a cascade that began in earnest in February when Tony Wu, described as one of the most operationally central cofounders, announced his resignation.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Modern viticulture began in earnest here in the 1970s before blossoming in the ’90s.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026

Definition of earnest

Noun

Gore is best known for Make America Great Again, her 2016 naked portrait of Trump with the paunch and solemnity of the great men of art history, adding, crucially, the tiniest of compensatory micropenises.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
As his own self-celebration has fizzled, a void has opened between the scheduled roster of events and the true purpose and meaning of the solemnity of July 4, 2026.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026

Definition of solemnity

Noun

Sirianni sees Smith’s attentiveness in team meetings, his extra work in the weight room on his own time, and his extra work before and after practices.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Tornare remarked on Koons’ attentiveness and deep involvement, from overall concepts to the smallest design cues.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of attentiveness

Browse Nearby Words

graving

gravitas

gravitate

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“Gravitas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravitas. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gravitas

noun

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