seriousness

noun

Definition of seriousnessnext
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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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 seriousness Although this condition is linked to a wide variety of negative health effects, the public chronically underestimates its seriousness. — Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 Like all of Roth’s content, there is a mix of dead seriousness, dry sarcasm, and wondrous joy in equal measure. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 Karwowski came across his photo on social media and immediately recognized the seriousness of his condition, having previously cared for a paralyzed cat. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Stacy Lake, the Democratic candidate for county executive, declined to weigh in beyond acknowledging the seriousness of the indictment. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities. — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 Despite the seriousness of the subject, Jackson and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, were the only members of the 11-person committee who attended the hearing. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Bredar spent almost an hour making sure Darien understood the seriousness of his plea. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 At a certain point, the deadly seriousness of so many consecutive anti-miracles can’t help but turn faintly comical. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seriousness
  1. gravity
  2. earnestness
  3. solemnity
Noun
  • The technology uses rapid rotation to create centrifugal forces far stronger than normal gravity, helping separate radioactive materials more efficiently.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Performing complex biological work is no longer limited to people whose advanced education and professional occupations would impress on them the gravity of their responsibilities to do no harm.
    — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of gravity
Noun
  • There are hints of Gilmore Girls in the show’s quaint setting and generational role reversal, traces of Dawson’s Creek in its adolescent earnestness.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
  • After casting was complete, the single most important goal for the creative team was not letting the parody aspect of the work take away any of the earnestness from their performances.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of earnestness
Noun
  • Gore is best known for Make America Great Again, her 2016 naked portrait of Trump with the paunch and solemnity of the great men of art history, adding, crucially, the tiniest of compensatory micropenises.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
  • As his own self-celebration has fizzled, a void has opened between the scheduled roster of events and the true purpose and meaning of the solemnity of July 4, 2026.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Definition of solemnity

Browse Nearby Words

serious-mindedness
seriousness
sermon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seriousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seriousness. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on seriousness

Nglish: Translation of seriousness for Spanish Speakers

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