1
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
the director of the funeral home has a fittingly solemn demeanor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in serious
not joking or playful in mood or manner
solemn as a judge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the Capitol's rotunda was draped in solemn decorations of a state funeral
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of solemn
Local towns and villages will hold similarly solemn ceremonies remembering residents lost 24 years ago in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
—
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
As the nation approaches the solemn anniversary of September 11, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller joined Abby Hornacek to share a message of remembrance and gratitude.
—Paid Content By Tunnel To Towers, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for solemn
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
As the nation approaches the solemn anniversary of September 11, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller joined Abby Hornacek to share a message of remembrance and gratitude.
—Paid Content By Tunnel To Towers, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for solemn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemn
Adjective
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At the heart of the property is the tahona, used to grind the agave used to make mezcal; this one is solar-powered though no less imposing.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And at what point will the FO/Doc accept that—even with Conforto’s lucky strike last night—no serious team can use a Conforto-Pages-Teo outfield—in the field and at the plate—and hope to contend in the way this team should?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The White House moved Thursday's 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon into the courtyard, away from the 9/11 memorial where the somber ceremony has been held for decades, in light of Kirk's killing.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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This was a somber visit, and the group was reverent, hushed.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The event features a 155-foot-long table adorned with 139 candles and meticulously set with 1,452 pieces of cutlery for 160 distinguished guests, NBC News reported.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Set in Columbus, Indiana, a city known for its unusual concentration of distinguished modern architecture, it’s centered on Casey, a teen-age girl with a difficult family background whose aesthetic passion has been awakened by the city’s masterworks.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From one side, draped in a dark-blue robe and flanked by an entourage in matching work shirts, Joe Frazier walked slowly through the crowd, stern and granite-jawed.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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Not even the most stern calls to sit down could keep the crowds away, as production staff tried to pave a path for fellow front row faces like rapper Glorilla, Charles Melton, Celtics player Jayson Tatum — who was sidelined late last season with an injury — Elle Fanning, and more.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Not all of Mythopedia is so bleak—just my favorite parts.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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When kittens Sam and Frodo were found, survival odds were bleak.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The venture works with waste picker entrepreneurs in India to provide dignified work within the circular value chain.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ten years ago, women dressed well and looked dignified.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company’s events tend to skew earnest for fashion, and this one was no exception, beginning with an address by Yanai—translated live from Japanese, via headsets—featuring various charts and graphs.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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His interest in deescalation seemed earnest and pleading.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemn. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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