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
There’s a seriousness about her.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
Yet, as stretched as Newcastle’s squad is, their progress in so many competitions also reflects the seriousness with which Howe is taking them all.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Restoring seriousness to the work is the only way Congress will earn the public’s trust again.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During Friday's hearing, the judge appointed the public defender's office to represent Perez and noted the seriousness of the allegations, adding that the victim had reportedly been caring for him.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The goals are to humanize the candidate, control the narrative and signal seriousness.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Looking at you, delightful Ron Charles, who somehow has managed to transform book reviewing into a performative endeavor with no falling-off of seriousness.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Nuclear talks with the United States allowed Tehran to gauge Washington’s seriousness and showed enough consensus to continue on the diplomatic track, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
In a press conference ahead of the set, though, the rapper noted, in all seriousness, that viewers who don't know the language can still enjoy the music.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
Yet, as stretched as Newcastle’s squad is, their progress in so many competitions also reflects the seriousness with which Howe is taking them all.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Restoring seriousness to the work is the only way Congress will earn the public’s trust again.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During Friday's hearing, the judge appointed the public defender's office to represent Perez and noted the seriousness of the allegations, adding that the victim had reportedly been caring for him.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The goals are to humanize the candidate, control the narrative and signal seriousness.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Looking at you, delightful Ron Charles, who somehow has managed to transform book reviewing into a performative endeavor with no falling-off of seriousness.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Nuclear talks with the United States allowed Tehran to gauge Washington’s seriousness and showed enough consensus to continue on the diplomatic track, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
In a press conference ahead of the set, though, the rapper noted, in all seriousness, that viewers who don't know the language can still enjoy the music.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seriousness
Noun
-
The venue change made for a tidy metaphor, but this was a shift in gravity.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Defying gravity, The Rookie Season 8 premiere was up from last season’s premiere in MP+3 viewership, ranking as the show’s biggest premiere on streaming and among Top 5 ABC premieres of all time.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The earnestness transferred into the character and lifted it.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Critically blasted but massively popular with audiences, this dream project is the height of kitsch, somehow made palatable by Richard’s characteristic earnestness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To that point, Lent is not all solemnity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
On February 10, after notching a silver in the men’s classic sprint, Ogden–six feet tall and lanky, with a bushy mustache–broke the solemnity of the medals ceremony.—
Bill Donahue,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seriousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seriousness. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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