as in gravity
formal
a very serious quality or manner
The new leader has an air of gravitas that commands respect. a comic actress who lacks the gravitas for dramatic roles
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Recent Examples of gravitas
Henriksen plays his part to the hilt here, bringing a gravitas that few actors would consider bringing to the role of a shoot-'em-up movie villain.
—
Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2023
The nativity story is narrated by the Honorable Milton L. Wright, his voice and demeanor a blend of gravitas and compassion.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
Singer-songwriter-keyboardist McVie took an important role in its multi-platinum efforts, with her warmth and gravitas balancing the contributions of her younger new bandmates.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Nov. 2022
Tell me about filming that scene and bringing the proper gravitas to a moment like that.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gravitas
Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2023
The nativity story is narrated by the Honorable Milton L. Wright, his voice and demeanor a blend of gravitas and compassion.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
Singer-songwriter-keyboardist McVie took an important role in its multi-platinum efforts, with her warmth and gravitas balancing the contributions of her younger new bandmates.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Nov. 2022
Tell me about filming that scene and bringing the proper gravitas to a moment like that.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gravitas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravitas
Noun
-
Most agree that simple gravity took over afterward.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Both parties are being pulled into this gravity well.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hence, this nimble, propulsive movie, given a loose intimacy by Juan Sarmiento’s 16mm cinematography, proves to be oddly heartfelt when seemingly most cruel about Oscar’s hapless earnestness.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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With a sprinkle of '80s nonsensical wit, Splash is an easy-breezy watch that finds its place in the sun by being ridiculously campy while grounding itself in earnestness, thanks to Hanks and Hannah's bewitching lead performances.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the years following Wallace’s death, this aura of saintliness likely derived from the combination of his moral seriousness as a fiction writer—his attunement to the heroism of private suffering and emotional endurance—and the fact of his premature end.—
Hermione Hoby,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Teshuva requires internal reflection, genuine remorse, and an acknowledgement of the seriousness of harm caused.—
Guila Benchimol,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As the bond between man and wild animal grows, so, too, does Nikola’s determination to return to a way of life that is in balance with nature.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
-
All three family members were rescued after roughly 10 hours adrift, their survival credited to the teenager’s courage and determination.—
Rod McGuirk,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The parallel: Reid had known Spagnuolo for decades, starting in earnest when Reid was an assistant coach at Mizzou and Spagnuolo was a frequent visitor.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Negotiations to establish the bank started in earnest in 2014, as several Asian economies like India and Indonesia chose to join the new institution as members.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, Máxima has reserved it for state dinners and high-level diplomatic events, combining it with contemporary styles that allow the rubies to stand out without stiffness or excessive solemnity.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Zohran Mamdani’s genial grin would have seemed unsustainably mild in the angry eighties, when Koch’s sarcasm fenced with Giuliani’s snarl, occasionally relieved by Mario Cuomo’s solemnity.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Steady, intentional eye contact conveys attentiveness and respect.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Good care requires a level of presence and attentiveness that just can’t be scaled.—
Jen Zamzow,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
One of my major disappointments in a lot of the writing was its humorlessness.—
Diya Chacko,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gravitas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravitas. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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