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
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The system places users in a zero-gravity posture originally developed for aerospace applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Craigslist nostalgia Craigslist, the decades-old online classifieds site, is still the go-to platform for some millennials who are nostalgic for the earnestness of the early web.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Do not let Fernando Mendoza’s earnestness fool you.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rodriguez noted that the law at the center of the battle doesn’t permit her to consider the seriousness of the offense nor the impact on the victims.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement This is not a failure of seriousness so much as a shift in how seriousness is encountered.—
Debbie Millman,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The common thread may be America’s determination to challenge China and its dominance of critical minerals.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
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She's inspired by Morris' determination and compassion.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Negotiations to establish the bank started in earnest in 2014, as several Asian economies like India and Indonesia chose to join the new institution as members.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
14 Dec. 2025
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In 2026, Hendricks will start in earnest on Phase 1 of the redevelopment, meaning every tenant needs to vacate the mall by Dec. 31.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The attempt at solemnity was not especially successful.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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These early broadcasts featured figures like Lola Beltrán and María Victoria, lending an aura of solemnity and glamour.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Good care requires a level of presence and attentiveness that just can’t be scaled.—
Jen Zamzow,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
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The company is aiming squarely at a traveler who wants the convenience of commercial routes but the comfort and attentiveness that usually come with chartering a jet.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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 16 Jan. 2026.
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