Definition of staidnext

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 The entryway is grand and gilded, the staff deferential and efficient (and always greeting you by name), but flashes of modern style and edgy attitude save the place from seeming staid. Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 Dinner is an uncharacteristically staid menu of artichoke salad and roast chicken breast, punctuated by speeches and awards. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 June 2026 Gone are the staid, neutral colors of the former store. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 In Lee’s case, it can be argued that his voice was central to the rise of Marvel, as his personality helped the upstart publisher differentiate from staid and stuffy competitors like DC, Archie and Dell at a time when a new generation of fans was looking for something new. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for staid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staid
Adjective
  • Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Dozens of firefighters lined the street in a solemn salute to their fallen colleagues.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Arlington received a distinguished visitor Saturday as the King of Jordan stopped by during the city's World Cup festivities.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • Liu, then a Tencent distinguished scientist (a senior title the Chinese tech giant gives to elite researchers) leading the company’s development of its Hunyuan AI model from scratch, saw where the industry was heading.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Judges have to throw the book at those arrested to teach them a stern lesson.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026
  • However, for students graduating right now, Hammer can't really summon up anything stern to say.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Expanding and elevating dignified work to meet our society’s unmet needs provides one of our most promising paths.
    Gene Sperling, Time, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.
    William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • This is a lovely, if rather decorous and reverent, tale of an illicit affair that’s unlikely to cause as much noise as Dhont’s last two films.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
  • Because of previous demand, over 20,000 people had been employed in buckle manufacture in the Birmingham area, but when this aristocratic fashion suddenly collapsed in 1786 on the eve of the French Revolution, their trade collapsed along with it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Staid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staid. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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