grave 1 of 3

noun

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
Definition of gravenext
1
as in tomb
a final resting place for a dead person the forlorn boy put flowers on his mother's grave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities a rock star who found his early grave in a plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dead
the state of being dead a terrible fear of the grave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grave

2 of 3

adjective

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
1
as in serious
having a matter of importance as its topic leaving gossip and celebrities to other magazines, this journal focuses on the grave issues confronting the nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury going over Niagara Falls poses a grave danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner when I asked him how his dog was doing, he looked grave and said, "Not good"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deep
having a low musical pitch or range a grave hexachord

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grave

3 of 3

verb

ˈgrāv How to pronounce grave (audio)
as in to etch
to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface the doomed climber graved his initials into the rock face

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of grave are earnest, sedate, serious, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When can earnest be used instead of grave?

The synonyms earnest and grave are sometimes interchangeable, but earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

Where would sedate be a reasonable alternative to grave?

The words sedate and grave can be used in similar contexts, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When would serious be a good substitute for grave?

While the synonyms serious and grave are close in meaning, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

In what contexts can sober take the place of grave?

Although the words sober and grave have much in common, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When is solemn a more appropriate choice than grave?

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

a sad and solemn occasion

When might staid be a better fit than grave?

In some situations, the words staid and grave are roughly equivalent. However, 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 grave
Noun
Later in the trailer, Kayce is seen kneeling beside what appears to be a grave. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026 O’Connor proves herself up to the task by eschewing the traditional cradle-to-grave narrative, peppered with interviews with those who knew the protagonist. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Acanthamoeba — also linked to neti pot use — have caused parasitic eye and skin infections, and can cause a grave brain and spinal cord infection, Granulomatous Encephalitis, that can be fatal. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026 Another person, a woman estimated to be about 70, was transported to a local hospital in grave condition after fire crews performed CPR. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Las acciones de Google son especialmente insensibles y graves ante el cierre administrativo temporal del gobierno (shutdown), ignorando las peticiones de funcionarios gubernamentales y organizaciones hispanas que les solicitaron mantener la programación de Univision en el paquete principal. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Better yet, the superstar—who recently graved our TV screens on The White Lotus—worked with stylist Brett Alan Nelson to deliver custom outfits for the set. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grave
  1. tomb
  2. death
  3. dead
  4. serious
  5. dangerous
  6. solemn
  7. deep
  8. etch
Noun
  • Even so, someone fired gunshots into the tomb, shattering part of the structure.
    — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Devotees often visit their tombs to seek a miraculous intervention.
    — Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • Through Van Der Beek’s wistful performance, viewers were given a window through which to grapple with betrayal, death, heartbreak and a litany of bad decisions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Little has been released about the shooting from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, which did not publicly acknowledge the killing for more than 12 hours after Anthony Anderson’s death.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • Three tourists in New Orleans were wounded in a shooting that left a 19-year-old dead when the man ducked into a famed Creole restaurant in a bid to escape the gunfire, authorities said Monday.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Jan. 2026
  • But fear of the difficult dead neither originated in nor has been confined to the nineteenth-century European re-imaginings of Vlad the Impaler.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • In a statement to NBC News, Daiichi Sankyo, which makes Savaysa, said that the drug is used to reduce the risk of stroke and clots but added that anticoagulants can increase the risk of serious bleeding.
    — David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Many of these people had been charged with serious crimes like assaulting security officers or bus and train operators, weapons possession, or threatening drivers.
    — Amber Gaudet Updated February 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Without reliably cold temperatures, snow is wetter and thinner, conditions are rainier — and for athletes that can be dangerous.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Luge is the most dangerous of the three sliding sports (bobsled and skeleton are the others) — ironic because athletes in that event actually have the most control.
    — Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Queen Emma was the first to wear the sapphire tiara in official portraits and solemn ceremonies, setting a precedent that her successors respected.
    — Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, who may reflect, fast and attend special church services.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Turn the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, turning once, until the daikon is tender and both sides are deep golden brown, 8–10 minutes.
    — Chihiro Tomioka, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Journaling is also a great way to explore your deeper thoughts.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of deep
Verb
  • In addition to keeping an eye on your water temperature, the risk of etching can be reduced by using a gentle dish detergent.
    — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Schaub etched his name in Texans history as the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards (23,221) and passing touchdowns (124).
    — Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of etch

Browse Nearby Words

gratuity
grave
graved
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Cite this Entry

“Grave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grave. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grave for Spanish Speakers

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