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

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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 My wish also is that soloists cease all their vocal theatrics, which only distort and cheapen the solemn rendition of our anthem. — Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 The solemn observance honored the victims, survivors and first responders involved in the unprecedented search and recovery effort. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 24 June 2026 Most focus on the soldiers’ faces, their uniforms, and the solemn gaze directed toward the Wall of Names. — Gary MacNamara, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026 The once-rising developer’s solemn promise is not likely to be fulfilled if court records in his federal criminal case and a parallel Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit are any indication. — Jay Weaver june 6, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for solemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemn

Adjective

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
The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.

— Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026

Definition of imposing

Adjective

Surrounding areas are under a very serious Level 3 of 4 risk.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
However, the area does have serious needs for infrastructure improvement, such as addressing flooding that has long affected neighborhoods like Argentine during rainy times of year.

— Sofi Zeman July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

The contrast of Mariama’s experience makes Stella’s life look practically as somber and sordid as a film noir, where no one can be trusted and tragedy lurks from all sides.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026
This somber Australian chiller, done in an exceptionally authentic faux-doc style, follows a family trying to piece together unexplainable supernatural events in the aftermath of their daughter’s tragic, seemingly accidental death.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Definition of somber

Adjective

Such a ruling sets a precedent for similar animals in inadequate conditions to lead a dignified life.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
In Bunia and Rwampara, 75 decontaminations and 57 safe and dignified burials have been carried out by teams directly supported by UNICEF and partners.

— Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of dignified

Adjective

In Elliott’s Connecticut, the governor would send a busload of stern but compassionate counselors to protect workers hiding in their office where a gunman lurks.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Burnham brings a more relaxed style of leadership than the rather stern Starmer, and is regarded as one of the Labour Party’s best communicators.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

Its method is both distinguished and derived from nineteenth-century classics, from which Rohmer distills a modernism of variety, ambiguity, complexity, and fragmentation.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Brand was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1972 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978 as a distinguished member.

— Norah Judson, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

The singer’s prolific career as a teen and young star was a bit of a balancing act, juggling acting and an earnest pop career, and balance seems to be a theme of the new tour as well.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2026
Once the story gathers everyone into the house and lets the mayhem start in earnest, an overall feeling of Gothic grimness and rotting-corpse griminess takes hold.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026

Definition of earnest

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“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemn. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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