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
-
When one of these clouds fragments into parts, gravity causes pockets within the fragments to collapse, with the density and temperature at the core of each pocket rising.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kapetan’s yearning, intimate voice is still front and center, mixing and modernizing elements of favorites of the aughts like Conor Oberst (his earnestness), Ben Kweller (his wit), and Sufjan Stevens (his beauty).—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These sports spectacles should be a moment for City Hall to project competence, stability, and seriousness.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
Prosecutors had urged the judge ahead of Thursday's hearing to order Allen to remain in custody in the lead-up to a trial, arguing in court papers that the seriousness of the charges warranted his continued detention.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
But part of the reason is that even with our most precise and accurate measurements that lead to a determination of the gravitational constant, those various teams and methods haven’t converged on a single answer.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
-
Dean was born in a small town in South Dakota, educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and through grit and determination built a small garbage business into Waste Management — a global company serving multiple continents with over $9 billion in revenue by his retirement.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Factoring in all these efforts, Smith said earnings growth will start to outpace sales starting in fiscal 2027, which begins in earnest in October of this year.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rattlesnake activity began in earnest in March, a month ahead of the start of the peak season, which is typically from April to October.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 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
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As a professor of a notoriously difficult subject, Green said a teaching approach centered on encouragement and attentiveness has been the key to helping her students succeed.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In Smith’s attentiveness, the painting became a locus of communion, one that linked him to the artist who made it.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 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 8 May. 2026.
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