as in earnest
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Recent Examples of serious-minded
Gore then spent eight years earning a reputation as a smart, serious-minded governing partner to Clinton.
—
Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Shane Hollander, the serious-minded captain of the Montreal Meteors, and star and playboy Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Bears are played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, respectively.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
In this more serious-minded (and Madea-free) movie from Perry, Idris Elba plays Monty, a hard-working father who loses custody of his daughters to his drug-addled wife (Tasha Smith).
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
These ads — presented as teasers, TV spots, and a theatrical trailer that seemed to begin as a very serious-minded tribute to Disney’s great history — served as a delightful introduction to a character that would grow to become one of the studio’s most popular.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Rather than strain to add an arthouse veneer (or the climactic reveal of an animating trauma), Coogler offers a true synthesis between serious-minded fiction and B-movie camp.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025
This is funny; Misty, a serious-minded statistician, can’t admit to frivolity.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
However, the deeper malaise will take some serious-minded action.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
The banter between Hedges and Scherzer lightened a serious-minded Rangers’ clubhouse.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Shane Hollander, the serious-minded captain of the Montreal Meteors, and star and playboy Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Bears are played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, respectively.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
In this more serious-minded (and Madea-free) movie from Perry, Idris Elba plays Monty, a hard-working father who loses custody of his daughters to his drug-addled wife (Tasha Smith).
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
These ads — presented as teasers, TV spots, and a theatrical trailer that seemed to begin as a very serious-minded tribute to Disney’s great history — served as a delightful introduction to a character that would grow to become one of the studio’s most popular.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Rather than strain to add an arthouse veneer (or the climactic reveal of an animating trauma), Coogler offers a true synthesis between serious-minded fiction and B-movie camp.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025
This is funny; Misty, a serious-minded statistician, can’t admit to frivolity.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
However, the deeper malaise will take some serious-minded action.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
The banter between Hedges and Scherzer lightened a serious-minded Rangers’ clubhouse.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious-minded
Adjective
-
Arn’s earnest philosophy starts to rub off on Grainier, wondering aloud about the cosmic stitching of the universe.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Shawn Mendes Though nominated for three Grammy Awards between 2019 and 2020, the earnest Mendes has yet to land a win.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
As the Virgo Moon arrives November 13 to 15, things get even more introspective, but in the best, most clarifying way.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But that’s exactly what happened when singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury, who goes by Role Model, crossed paths with María Zardoya, the introspective frontwoman of the Marías and the brains behind the solo project Not for Radio.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With so many comedy writers on the bill, the Broder tribute was no somber affair.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
-
As is tradition, all the women were dressed in black ensembles to mark the somber occasion, which commemorates members of the military from Britain and the Commonwealth who have died in battle.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While solemn Veterans Day remembrance ceremonies were taking place at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Tuesday, people were also there observing the holiday by making replicas of poppies.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
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The solemn occasion is a time to reflect on these American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Wang, a specialist in suspense and female-centric narratives, was drawn to the series’ philosophical underpinnings.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
But most states also allow nonmedical exemptions based on religious or philosophical beliefs.—
Anthony Bald,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Chasing a record 299, South Africa made a sedate start under immense pressure from medium pacer Renuka Singh.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Over the centuries, Muslim traders built mosques and schools in sedate Tamale, which was more inland and distant from the direct links of the transatlantic slave and colonial trade.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serious-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious-minded. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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