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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of serious are earnest, grave, sedate, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

In what contexts can earnest take the place of serious?

Although the words earnest and serious have much in common, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When would grave be a good substitute for serious?

While in some cases nearly identical to serious, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When is it sensible to use sedate instead of serious?

While the synonyms sedate and serious are close in meaning, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

Where would sober be a reasonable alternative to serious?

The words sober and serious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When might solemn be a better fit than serious?

The synonyms solemn and serious are sometimes interchangeable, but solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is staid a more appropriate choice than serious?

In some situations, the words staid and serious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 serious Doing so could lead to serious consequences, including years in prison, according to Steve Levin, a University of Maryland Carey School of Law professor. Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 Rutina Wesley's Tara was introduced as Sookie's loyal, fiery best friend with some serious family problems. Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025 As always, Variety spoke with creator and Kinetic Content founder and CEO Chris Coelen about the first six episodes, including that split, the multiple contestants who ghosted, and the serious conversations that happened in the pods. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025 The Trtl Neck Pillow is a serious game-changer in my books. Lola Mendez, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
  • Models walking the runway — staged at the Pinacoteca di Brera museum — had solemn expressions on their faces.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • If anything, their Didi and Gogo (Winter plays the former, the more cerebral and anxious of the two, and Reeves the latter, the disgruntled yet tender beta clown) are still a little on the solemn side.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • None is more important than quarterback Lamar Jackson.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This neurological response evolved to keep our ancestors alive in genuinely dangerous situations.
    Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Global organization Human Rights Watch accused the festival of diverting attention away from allegations of the government’s severe repression of free speech and criticized comedians for performing on the behest of an oppressive regime.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Throughout his career, Zilber helped plant millions of trees and was a part of the state's response efforts for severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and tornadoes.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Shares in China’s Zijin Gold International surged more than 60% on its debut in Hong Kong on Tuesday after raising more than $3 billion in one of the world’s biggest initial public offerings this year.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The computer scientists used an AI program to generate DNA codes for more than 75,000 variants of hazardous proteins – and the firewalls used by DNA manufacturers weren't consistently able to catch them.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nestled between Red Dirt heroes Turnpike Troubadours (who were, as usual, great) and festival headliners Kings of Leon, the lyrically earnest Barber performed well, worthy of the slow-building hype surrounding him.
    Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The track, breathy and earnest, is a particular favorite of mine, a tune that’s at once yearning and reassuring, perfect for a show about the comfort of old-fashioned romance.
    Rumaan Alam, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hernández’s issues in right field are well-documented, and the Dodgers already had to overcome one major miscue this postseason during Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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