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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Example Sentences
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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
The nativity story is narrated by the Honorable Milton L. Wright, his voice and demeanor a blend of gravitas and compassion.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for gravitas
Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2023
The nativity story is narrated by the Honorable Milton L. Wright, his voice and demeanor a blend of gravitas and compassion.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for gravitas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravitas
Noun
-
Iran is what Small Diameter Bombs—gravity bombs—are for.—
Garrett M. Graff,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
-
This research wouldn't have been possible with a quirk of the cosmos first posited by Albert Einstein in his 1915 magnum opus theory of gravity, general relativity.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The earnestness of these calls to join is refreshing compared to the distance currently felt in many places, where the disconnection can make neighbors feel like strangers.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But the Explosive News representative spoke of their efforts with a lofty earnestness.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The comedy that lives beyond that frame deserves its own telling, with the same seriousness and depth.—
Geoff Bennett,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
There is a playfulness in the day and there’s a seriousness at night.—
Jerald “Coop” Cooper,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Platforms would be barred from using information collected and stored in the age assurance system, or in appeals, for anything but age assurance, and would have to delete the information within 10 days of an age determination or appeal resolution, per the bill text.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
My determination to make sure Greg got his shut-eye had turned me into a less-than-ideal version of myself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the bitter path to this threshold—the debate started in earnest in 1915—almost no one cheered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, started in earnest on March 10 with opening statements, and three other accusers are poised to testify, the New York Times reported.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There were plenty of moments of silliness to go along with the solemnity in Tuesday’s show.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Good Friday and Holy Saturday will be observed in local Catholic churches with characteristic solemnity, dignity and beauty.—
From staff reports,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The customer claimed the service lacked attentiveness throughout the evening — and that the staff failed to explain elements of the dining experience.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of my major disappointments in a lot of the writing was its humorlessness.—
Diya Chacko,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gravitas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravitas. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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