SOLEMN Synonyms: 232 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'solemn' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of solemn are earnest , grave , sedate , serious , sober , and staid . While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. // a sad and solemn occasion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'earnest' instead of 'solemn'?

While the synonyms earnest and solemn are close in meaning, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. // an earnest reformer

Q: When might 'grave' be a better fit than 'solemn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to solemn , grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. // read the proclamation in a grave voice

Q: When would 'sedate' be a good substitute for 'solemn'?

Although the words sedate and solemn have much in common, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. // remained sedate amid the commotion

Q: Where would 'serious' be a reasonable alternative to 'solemn'?

In some situations, the words serious and solemn are roughly equivalent. However, serious implies a concern for what really matters. // a serious play about social injustice

Q: In what contexts can 'sober' take the place of 'solemn'?

The words sober and solemn can be used in similar contexts, but sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. // a sober look at the state of our schools

Q: When could 'staid' be used to replace 'solemn'?

The words staid and solemn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. // a quiet and staid community

solemn

adjective

ˈsä-ləm

Definition of solemn

as in imposing

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner the director of the funeral home has a fittingly solemn demeanor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in serious

not joking or playful in mood or manner solemn as a judge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in somber

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the Capitol's rotunda was draped in solemn decorations of a state funeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solemn different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of solemn are earnest, grave, sedate, serious, sober, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is it sensible to use earnest instead of solemn?

While the synonyms earnest and solemn are close in meaning, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When might grave be a better fit than solemn?

While in some cases nearly identical to solemn, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When would sedate be a good substitute for solemn?

Although the words sedate and solemn have much in common, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

Where would serious be a reasonable alternative to solemn?

In some situations, the words serious and solemn are roughly equivalent. However, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

In what contexts can sober take the place of solemn?

The words sober and solemn can be used in similar contexts, but sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When could staid be used to replace solemn?

The words staid and solemn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

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 solemn Games were canceled, tearful tributes were made and things were solemn for a long time. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The solemn ceremony began with a readout of all the victims’ names, followed by a prayer. — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 The High Holy Days, observed by Jews worldwide, are a time of solemn resolution, remembrance and repentance. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026 Events and tributes commemorating the solemn occasion are taking place across the US, including in New York City and Washington, DC. — Kaanita Iyer, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemn

Adjective

When houses squeeze into their lots, vehicles grow more imposing, and storefronts battle for attention, the problem is no longer simply whether something is beautiful or ugly.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Propaganda posters from the era from both the democratic United States and the Axis powers surround the imposing, heavy-duty boots, covered in animal hair and insulation.

— Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of imposing

Adjective

Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) treat all foot conditions ranging from toenails, bunions, fractures, and plantar fasciitis to serious diabetic foot complications that can lead to limb amputation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
What began as a hobby to help explain complex redistricting cases more effectively has grown into a serious media operation.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

Elderly couples surrounded us in somber ceremony, each of them in seats clustered close to one another, some holding hands, their fingers dusted in crumb cake.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Many social media users suggested Pearman may have missed the point of the somber experience of visiting a living memorial where one of history’s greatest atrocities occurred.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of somber

Adjective

Deploying intelligent dispatching platforms has become critical to protecting departure punctuality, maintaining audit compliance and delivering dignified passenger care.

— Justin Newell, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
By platitudes like a peaceful and dignified death and silly words like natural.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of dignified

Adjective

As the Pacific Princess’ Captain Stubing, Gavin MacLeod played the stern yet beloved authority figure better than many might’ve expected, given how closely he’d become associated with comedy by that point.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026
The new trailer for Paper Tiger transfers this dynamic onto the scene of a rehabilitation project for New York City’s Gowanus Canal, resulting in far graver consequences than a stern talking-to from mom.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

Abdel El Manira, a distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and a member of the Nobel committee, said at the prize announcement that optogenetics' impacts extend beyond our understanding of the healthy brain.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
Among his distinguished awards are the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2017 by the French Ministry of Culture.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

A certain ingenuousness, an earnest impatience with the world’s many injustices, is a hallmark of Barbara Kingsolver’s novels.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Such requests typically don’t start in earnest until closer to the end of the fourth quarter, which is why most TV networks don’t like to declare sell-out until just days before the Super Bowl starts.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of earnest

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solemnities

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“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemn. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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