1
2
3

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 Local towns and villages will hold similarly solemn ceremonies remembering residents lost 24 years ago in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 As the nation approaches the solemn anniversary of September 11, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller joined Abby Hornacek to share a message of remembrance and gratitude. Paid Content By Tunnel To Towers, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison. Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025 Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solemn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemn
Adjective
  • At the heart of the property is the tahona, used to grind the agave used to make mezcal; this one is solar-powered though no less imposing.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And at what point will the FO/Doc accept that—even with Conforto’s lucky strike last night—no serious team can use a Conforto-Pages-Teo outfield—in the field and at the plate—and hope to contend in the way this team should?
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The White House moved Thursday's 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon into the courtyard, away from the 9/11 memorial where the somber ceremony has been held for decades, in light of Kirk's killing.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • This was a somber visit, and the group was reverent, hushed.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Each year, Daniel and HFR present distinguished awards to individuals who are leading innovators in their respective fields.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Storied military career After graduating from North Carolina A&T in 1963 with a degree in engineering physics, Joseph McNeil was commissioned as a second lieutenant through ROTC and began a distinguished Air Force career, according to his university.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, Baltimore has received a stern warning on closing out big games from former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shatter and Falconi had formed Flipper in the late 1970s Bay Area at the dawn of hardcore, the tougher and sterner punk variant that had a stronghold in California.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, there are good reasons to question NASA's long-term plans for the Artemis lunar program—the woeful cost of the Space Launch System rocket, the complexity of new commercial landers, and a bleak budget outlook.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That's rather bleak, while Charlie Sheen's life has just been bonkers.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The venture works with waste picker entrepreneurs in India to provide dignified work within the circular value chain.
    Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ten years ago, women dressed well and looked dignified.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The company’s events tend to skew earnest for fashion, and this one was no exception, beginning with an address by Yanai—translated live from Japanese, via headsets—featuring various charts and graphs.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • His interest in deescalation seemed earnest and pleading.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemn. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on solemn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!