1
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
I'm serious when I say that no one should be walking in that neighborhood at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having a matter of importance as its topic
a very serious film that dealt with the aftermath of the Gulf War
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a serious accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a serious injury
serious questions
a serious concern
a substantial concern
a significant concern
a considerable concern
a major concern
an important concern
serious doubts
a serious effort
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
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
The dearth of serious voting impediments is long-standing finding in polls.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Meanwhile, India has released new satellite images showing serious damage to air strips and radar stations at what Indian defense officials say are multiple Pakistani military bases crippled by massive Indian airstrikes.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Adjective
In the past, the drive to grow contributed to more serious issues, such as the 2016 SEC fraud case where the company was accused of inflating its 2011 financial results.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
The dearth of serious voting impediments is long-standing finding in polls.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Meanwhile, India has released new satellite images showing serious damage to air strips and radar stations at what Indian defense officials say are multiple Pakistani military bases crippled by massive Indian airstrikes.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
-
Handheld digital images give way to more solemn documentary reveries, which give way to surveillance footage and TikTok-style social media interludes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
-
The scenes involving Alma and Erika, both of whom grow up in worlds dominated by a solemn patriarchy and plagued by hardship, feel like they were drawn from period horror movies.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s another important component of the foreclosures First Street tracked: areas where home prices are rising tend to avoid falling into distress.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
The release is part of the USPS's longstanding tradition of using stamps to commemorate important national events, serving as both educational tools and collectible artifacts that spotlight America's history and heritage.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The reason is that getting on and off a tall bed or sofa can be dangerous for your furry friend and result in potential injuries.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2025
-
Even ejecting from the aircraft can be dangerous and traumatic.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the severe nature of Mrs. D’Aleo’s injuries, and the eyewitness account of Mrs. D’Aleo’s caregiver, Mr. and Mrs. Hornish continue to mischaracterize the incident.—
John J. Houlihan Jr,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
-
In addition to the color and pattern, the rug is incredibly durable, particularly in severe weather.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Crow-Armstrong had a big series against the Sox and seems to enjoy being a villain in the eyes of Sox fans for his chest-thumping, arm-waving celebrations.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 May 2025
-
Nikola Jokic is the biggest reason why the Nuggets are on the brink of a sizable upset.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
The cities with some of the highest rates of poverty and the most people of color have borne the burden of the state’s hazardous waste facilities.—
Sarah McCoy,
Hartford Courant,
18 May 2025
-
The warning is issued to notify fire officials of potentially hazardous weather conditions expected within the next 12 to 24 hours.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The sense of buoyancy in markets, then, could be a head rush — evoked by the U.S.-China trade deal over the weekend — that could dissipate once the gravity of the economic headwinds takes over again.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
-
Cannes veteran Suzu Hirose (Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Our Little Sister) plays young Etsuko with a luminous fragility, while Yoh Yoshida (Desperate Sunflowers) portrays the older version of the character with enigmatic gravity.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Director Dean Fleischer Camp’s family adventure feels like an excessively earnest Disney Channel movie compared with the delightfully unhinged 2002 cartoon.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
-
Blissfully, the 2002 film Lilo & Stitch gets an adaptation that is vibrant, whimsical, and earnest (and also cute and fluffy!).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share