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

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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

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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

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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
But since then, an enormous freeway has been built next to it, and so their grave is right next to this highway. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 The movie’s alive, and the actors seize the day, from Mosaku’s grave and beautifully modulated Annie to Steinfeld’s note-perfect embodiment of a femme fatale who’s fatale in unusual ways. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
But when somebody is diagnosed with a grave illness, these questions become particularly important to acknowledge in medical conversations. —Michelle Riba, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025 Buy Now Select Roald Dahl Children's Books Edited for Less Offensive and More Inclusive Language 14 of 15 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara Anyone who hasn't read this book is doing themselves a grave disservice and must rectify that immediately. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 23 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
  • Related article Clashes erupt in western India as Hindu groups demand demolition of Mughal ruler’s tomb Modi’s BJP denies using the Mughal emperor’s name to defame India’s Muslims.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • See inside In Linfen, China, archaeologists uncovered a Yuan Dynasty tomb with a domed ceiling adorned with murals.
    — Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.
    — George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Itasca baseball shop sells card worth $1,200 to a 12-year-old for $12 Pope Francis’ cause of death revealed by the Vatican Advocate Health Care quietly pulled doctors out of Aurora’s Mercy Medical Center What is the Chicago Bears’ biggest need?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • Into the Pigeon cave Roughly 14,700 years ago, a group of people were living and burning their dead in a cave located in what is now Morocco.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Russia’s Tass news agency earlier said the Russian dead included at least two children, citing the country’s consul in Hurghada.
    — Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • Could this cause some serious anxiety, or even an existential crisis?
    — Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Mets’ prospects with experience in center field need more time in the minors before they can be considered serious options.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.
    — Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • President Trump Makes His Entrance At Pope Francis' Funeral By Emma Marsden Freelance News Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 7 Pope Francis' funeral took place in a solemn ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the world.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • And when public figures die, the resulting rituals can sit awkwardly between a solemn, respectful wake and a chance to personally capture a moment in history.
    — Issy Ronald and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • The Orioles scored the first run of the game in the second inning when Ramón Laureano ripped an RBI double to deep center.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • This track leans on deep bass in the form of a bass synth.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • April 12 will remain etched in the memory of El Malilla, the reggaetón mexa star who brought the Sonora stage at Coachella to a thrilling close on Saturday night.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
  • It’s etched into every Cambodian’s bones – including mine.
    — Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
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 2 May. 2025.

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