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

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

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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
It was known as the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, like other similar groups, offered rewards or honors to motivate people to undertake the risky work of saving people from watery graves. —Amanda Moniz, The Conversation, 12 May 2026 Père Lachaise Cemetery gets tens of thousands of visitors every year, with fans coming from around the world to leave flowers on the graves of stars like Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf. —Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Adjective
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger. —Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 His partner remains in grave condition from the shooting. —Silvana Tabares, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 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
  • There, surrounding his tomb, visitors will find walls covered in some of Goya’s finest frescoes, restored to their vivid, original pigment tones, along with the church interior and building structure itself, reports the Times of London.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
  • Hue, Vietnam Ornate palaces, pavilions, statues and royal tombs are waiting to be explored in Hue.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • Notably, the movie omitted the slew of allegations that followed Jackson from the ’90s until his death in 2009.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
  • Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the death and Grayson’s cause of death has not been determined.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • His remains showed clear signs of cannibalism, confirming early Inuit reports of desperate crew members resorting to eating their dead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
  • Once the fog of chaos lifted, the police and the protesters both gathered their dead.
    — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • The number of teams and bowls involved could shift as discussions become more serious.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over e-bikes and e-motorcycles across Southern California following several serious and fatal crashes involving young riders.
    — Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • But pretty quickly, Wahl said that both the mother and police realized something more dangerous could be brewing.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 19 May 2026
  • Sheets touched on the other key to his success — and any dangerous hitter’s success — in the above quote.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The annual solemn ceremony was a kickoff to Patriot Week.
    — Paul Burton, CBS News, 16 May 2026
  • Despite the crowds, the rousing music, and the excitement, Washington’s departure was a solemn affair, freighted by the stunning fact that the American colonies were now truly at war with the British Empire.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • September 23 – October 22 A deeper feeling could interrupt your attempt to keep things light.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
  • Benjamín Echazarreta’s cinematography is alert to the workaday energy of the hotel as well as the eerie beauty of the setting, with its mix of fairy-tale wonder and bone-deep dread.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Definition of deep
Verb
  • Thoroughbred horse trainer Brittany Russell is the latest woman with a chance to etch her name into horse racing history when the Preakness kicks off in Maryland this weekend.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, Misiorowski continues to etch his name into MLB’s annals for velocity.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 14 May 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 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grave

Nglish: Translation of grave for Spanish Speakers

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