1
2

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of staid are earnest, grave, sedate, serious, sober, and solemn. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Where would earnest be a reasonable alternative to staid?

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

an earnest reformer

When can grave be used instead of staid?

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

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When is sedate a more appropriate choice than staid?

The meanings of sedate and staid largely overlap; however, sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

In what contexts can serious take the place of staid?

The words serious and staid can be used in similar contexts, but serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

When could sober be used to replace staid?

In some situations, the words sober and staid are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When would solemn be a good substitute for staid?

The words solemn and staid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

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 staid Otto and Elise are so alive on the page, and noting how this staid couple who enjoyed their dull routines come alive with their small acts of resistance is breathtaking. Rabih Alameddine september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 There is a swirl of vibrant Louis Vuitton bags, which Jacobs enlisted the artist Takashi Murakami to create, replacing the line’s staid signature brown background and gold logo with color and infusing the design with a youthful energy. Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025 This is not your stuffy and staid luxury hotel; the clientele at the Villa Magna was noticeably stylish, sophisticated, and attractive. Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Japanese politics have long been staid. Jeff Kingston, Time, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for staid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staid
Adjective
  • Yom Kippur is the most solemn Jewish holiday, marking the end of the 10 Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Models walking the runway — staged at the Pinacoteca di Brera museum — had solemn expressions on their faces.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
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
  • From a potentially serious injury sustained by linebacker Dwight Nunoo to a multitude of mistakes, Saturday’s 51-10 loss to the host Connecticut Huskies (4-2) was devastating to FIU (2-3).
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • This was a period of serious violence in Argentina, with the most notable death in footballing terms being the assassination of General Omar Actis, the head of the World Cup organising committee.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Paes also highlighted that the 27th edition of Rio Fest will host 120 distinguished guests, among them French cinema superstar Juliette Binoche who, in addition to presenting her first film as a director, will also celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and France.
    Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The model, developed in collaboration with battery startup Sphere Energy, can predict a battery’s long-term behavior in as few as 50 power cycles modeled on the digital twin, says Teodoro Laino, distinguished research staff member at IBM Research.
    Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • TelevisaUnivsion issued a stern statement of displeasure at the situation.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In a series of rulings on motions brought by Combs after his conviction, Judge Subramanian has been stern.
    Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Transforming what is discarded into something dignified and beautiful.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • This action will begin, will continue, and will end in accord with the rules of procedure and in a professional and dignified manner.
    Jenna Sundel Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.
    Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His aristocratic tastes are reflected in his various building projects, the remains of which have been excavated.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In The Pink Panther, Cardinale starred as the wealthy Princess Dala, whose priceless diamond becomes the target of an aristocratic jewel thief played by David Niven.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Staid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staid. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on staid

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!