sedate 1 of 2

1
2

sedate

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sedate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sedate are earnest, grave, serious, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When might earnest be a better fit than sedate?

While in some cases nearly identical to sedate, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

In what contexts can grave take the place of sedate?

The words grave and sedate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

Where would serious be a reasonable alternative to sedate?

The synonyms serious and sedate are sometimes interchangeable, but serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

When could sober be used to replace sedate?

In some situations, the words sober and sedate are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When would solemn be a good substitute for sedate?

The meanings of solemn and sedate largely overlap; however, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is staid a more appropriate choice than sedate?

While the synonyms staid and sedate are close in meaning, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Example Sentences

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 sedate
Adjective
The final 10 kilometres of stage eight were as dramatic as the previous 161 had been sedate, the peloton largely treating themselves to a more relaxed — albeit still quite rapid — day after a tense opening week. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025 In this case that means the strong looks are backed by a well-vetted, but pretty sedate 2.0-liter four-cylinder. New Atlas, 11 July 2025
Verb
For more sedate vibes, there’s a library with around 2,000 titles. Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025 Set in a sedate corner of Massachusetts circa 1970, the story follows JB Mooney (O’Connor), an unemployed carpenter turned amateur art thief, who plans his first big heist. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sedate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedate
Adjective
  • Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.
    Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
  • China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nonetheless, the analyst said investors should remain calm.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Life during wartime will make what came before seem positively calm.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Most are unable to rise above the stylistic miasma of the production — Whitehead sounds narcotized even when Pip isn’t on drugs — or the entirely new words they’ve been asked to say.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023
  • The smartphone, for all its wonder and utility, has also proved to be a narcotizing agent.
    Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2019
Adjective
  • Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Hormonal changes can trigger or worsen mental health conditions, including serious ones like psychosis.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Just serene, private spaces where men or women can swim separately and privately.
    Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Natural stone, wood and muted textures create a serene canvas, allowing the ever-changing Mediterranean light and vibrant rhythms of island life to become part of the design itself.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • With increasingly busy and fragmented lives, and wrapped up in computer and phone screens most of the day, people want a chance to take some time out to relax and connect with friends in a casual environment.
    Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Some people smoke marijuana to relax or to relieve tension, depression or even boredom.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid the Yankees' slump, Boone's leadership, managing style and willingness to be stern with players have all been questioned.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Directed by Garry Marshall, this comedy drama has a riveting, deeply ambiguous scene that can be considered a kind of acting triumph for Lohan, who plays a troubled young woman, Rachel, spending the summer with her stern grandmother (Jane Fonda).
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the course of two weeks, ISIS invaded Sinjar, including my once peaceful village of Kocho, sewing fear and chaos, before killing nearly every Yazidi man in my village and taking women and children into captivity.
    Nadia Murad, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
  • In a scene from the film, Benedict Wong's school principal character, Marcus, is shown at home with his husband, and viewers get a glimpse at their peaceful life before things take a dark turn.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sedate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sedate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!