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

Relevance

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 The night, centered on the foundation’s ongoing push to fund a cure and support those stigmatized by their HIV status, didn’t end on that solemn note. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026 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 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

The Spurs believe the most imposing version of their defensive cornerstone has yet to arrive.

— Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of imposing

Adjective

The Tallahassee Police Department said in a statement that 11 of the 12 were shot and that three victims had serious injuries, with one minor in serious condition.

— Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
Bake this classic all the way through for a light and tender crumb, or cut the bake time short for serious gooey goodness in the center.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

The daughter of a brass tree guest told me that on the last day, her mother pulled her aside and offered a somber warning.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Miller's new ad opens with a somber sequence of close-ups of various people's faces as the congressman talks about how divorce affects families.

— Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of somber

Adjective

Librarian Regina Andrews, known for her salons, exudes the dignified air of a beloved host, vividly describing the communal groundswell every young thinker and creative then could sense happening.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The role of a legitimate people’s government is to level the playing field between the billionaires and the rest of us who are just trying to provide ourselves with decent, dignified lives and get ahead.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignified

Adjective

Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Yet missing from this bleak picture are the ways that Ukraine has already adapted to escalating attacks.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Contemplation of this tax — which produced $384 million in the last fiscal year — has consumed endless hours of work from some of the county’s most respected leaders, and drawn earnest public testimony from dozens of people.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
The video plays hopscotch with tone—at once horrific, ridiculous, and bathetically earnest.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of earnest

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solely

solemn

solemnities

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“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemn. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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