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 Toni Servillo plays the president of Italy, who is staid to a fault (just like the movie), though with hidden depths. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 29 Aug. 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 The normally staid railroad sector was shaken up last month when Union Pacific announced plans to buy Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, which set off speculation that Berkshire could join the takeover fray. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for staid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staid
Adjective
  • On Monday, her husband, the Duke of Kent, and daughter Lady Helen Taylor appeared solemn as her coffin was taken by hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral for a private vigil.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • No happening is too solemn, in this world, for a heaping portion of unabashed self-promotion.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 13 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • The cost of parties, marketing, shipping, insurance, and the decorous administration of nearly five hundred sales a year only ever drifts one way.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • When Coverley and the girls returned to England, in 1969, Lucian arranged for Bella to spend time with some aristocratic hippies who travelled around southern England in caravans.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While its aristocratic history may be a thing of the past, the hotel (along with its grounds) does still exude the stately, elegant aura of a noble mansion.
    Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Staid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staid. Accessed 18 Sep. 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!