as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
we knew from the doctor's seriousness that she didn't have good news
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Recent Examples of seriousness
If the meeting proceeds, any recommendations made should be rejected as lacking legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in CDC leadership.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
The pace and seriousness of the young couple’s romance feel threatening to her.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Companies that treat their digital supply chain with the same seriousness as their physical supply chain will reduce risk and build trust with customers and partners.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Knowing your cancer’s stage can give you insight into the seriousness of your cancer diagnosis and your prognosis.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Sep. 2025
The seriousness of Letuli’s injury is not yet known.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
His departure underscores both the seriousness of the charges and the need for accountability in offices that oversee democratic processes.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Schiffer addressed the incident in a message to families, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and urging students and parents to report any safety concerns to school officials.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
The pace and seriousness of the young couple’s romance feel threatening to her.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Companies that treat their digital supply chain with the same seriousness as their physical supply chain will reduce risk and build trust with customers and partners.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Knowing your cancer’s stage can give you insight into the seriousness of your cancer diagnosis and your prognosis.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Sep. 2025
The seriousness of Letuli’s injury is not yet known.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
His departure underscores both the seriousness of the charges and the need for accountability in offices that oversee democratic processes.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Schiffer addressed the incident in a message to families, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and urging students and parents to report any safety concerns to school officials.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seriousness
Noun
-
Black holes are so dense that nothing, not even light, can escape their gravity.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
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Findings will also improve scientists' understanding of how atomic hydrogen escapes Earth's gravity and inform models of planetary evolution in the search for habitable exoplanets.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The conceit is inherently crowdpleasing — a man stumbling into strangers’ lives and finding unexpected connection — but Hikari steers it with earnestness, elevating it beyond sentimental comedy.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
-
His earnestness and enthusiasm were endearing.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Any solemnity that might be engendered by the president accompanied by an official entourage to his private residence near the Spanish Steps is amusingly offset by the robot law enforcement dog leading the way.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
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Dressed in traditional wear and moving with a studied solemnity, the men remove evidence of Europe from the office.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
IndieWire,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seriousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seriousness. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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