SERIOUS-MINDED Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

serious-minded

adjective

Definition of serious-minded

as in earnest

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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-minded But a bigger problem is that his earnest, hard-working performance can’t help but utilize the same tools now familiar from much less serious-minded contexts. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for serious-minded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious-minded

Adjective

While attending the Filming Italy Venice Award red carpet at the film festival in September 2024, they were captured giving earnest smiles.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Holland’s jittery, earnest, winsome take on the iconic 64-year-old comic iconic was instantly likable, radiating teen-geek charisma.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Definition of earnest

Adjective

Senior local official Dagnachew Azbite told the BBC that seven people had been found injured, with five of the victims sustaining serious injuries.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Beyond the figures, a scroll of social media or a quick scan of the girlies at airports and Pilates reformer studios in major cities will tell you that Alo continues to capture serious athleisure market share.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

The introspective movie centers on four classmates setting out to find the body of a boy who went missing in the woods.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
The red planet doesn’t care to journey through this Water sign — given its introspective and emotional nature — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be harnessed correctly.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of introspective

Adjective

For the past four decades, July was always a somber month for the McDonalds, a reminder of the moment that changed their family's lives.

— Ali Bauman, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Less than two months after her historic victory to become Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae stood before a bank of microphones and opposition lawmakers, looking somber.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Definition of somber

Adjective

Both are powerful spots of natural beauty and deep cultural significance, but for a less solemn outing, the little islet of Ojima sits neatly between the two.

— Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
After seeing corrupt cops rewarded with medals and politics debase his best friend, now the courts can’t even be trusted to perform their solemn duty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of solemn

Adjective

But in this blue collar, factory-like environment, there was no blurred line, no grey area, no philosophical question to fret over.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
That’s an ambitious philosophical proposition in an era increasingly dominated by information, algorithms and artificial intelligence.

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of philosophical

Adjective

The talk is grave, the editing unhurried; the camera holds multiple characters in the frame and watches them from a sedate remove.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
In its own way, the new film is a further tribute to the late Michael’s greatness as a performer, as the footage captured him giving his all — even in front of a sedate Beijing audience.

— David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Definition of sedate

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“Serious-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious-minded. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of serious-minded

adjective

Example Sentences

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