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

For the science-fiction concepts underpinning that world, including gravity control, faster-than-light communication and cognitive materialization, Kamiyama worked with novelist Toh EnJoe, credited as SF setting supervisor, as an outside arbiter.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
The goal was to verify Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which posited that gravity was not a pulling force but actually the warping of spacetime.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of gravity

Noun

There are hints of Gilmore Girls in the show’s quaint setting and generational role reversal, traces of Dawson’s Creek in its adolescent earnestness.

— Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
After casting was complete, the single most important goal for the creative team was not letting the parody aspect of the work take away any of the earnestness from their performances.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of earnestness

Noun

Karwowski came across his photo on social media and immediately recognized the seriousness of his condition, having previously cared for a paralyzed cat.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Stacy Lake, the Democratic candidate for county executive, declined to weigh in beyond acknowledging the seriousness of the indictment.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of seriousness

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

For instance, Sentry works with trucking clients to improve driver ergonomics to enhance attentiveness and focus, which Zernicke says is a high-return-on-investment for fleet operators.

— Sentry Insurance, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Throughout the studies, participants also reported less daytime sleepiness, less frequent muscle weakness, and greater attentiveness.

— Elaine Chen, STAT, 5 Aug. 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gravitas

noun

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