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

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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
In a country seemingly inured to episodes of brutal violence from drug cartels, where clandestine graves emerge every month, the images shocked Mexicans and prompted outraged human rights groups to demand that the government put an end to the violence that has ravaged the nation for years. —Paulina Villegas, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2025 The bodies and graves can also be seen in satellite imagery reviewed and verified by CNN. —Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
More: Judge expresses 'grave' concerns while reinstating labor board member fired by Trump Neither the Labor Department nor the Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment. —Luc Cohen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025 Lonergan insisted that anyone with a genuine track record in intelligence or defense who leads either military or civilian counterterrorism operations would realize the grave risks in airing any type of covert or battlefield intelligence. —John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 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
  • Those kinds of things probably weren't very interesting to tomb robbers.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • For our group, this one opened a new world, just as wondrous as the temples and tombs of ancient Egypt.
    — Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • His cause of death is currently undetermined, as an autopsy has not been completed.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Finn is hardly the first to cast doubt on the official narrative of Morrison’s death.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • That’s because the Romans mainly cremated their dead until the third century.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Congolese government puts the number of dead so far at 7,000.
    — Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • Age restrictions could impact the positives that social media brings, and still fall short of solving its more serious issues.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • That means the garden isn't dangerous for Cummings' elderly father, who is allergic to bees.
    — Martha Ann Overland, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.
    — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The noble profile of a solemn, aging Great Dane named Apollo dominates Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s The Friend, a movie nominally about the difficulties of caring for a pet in New York City.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Then, with his hopes of starting the season in the major leagues officially dashed, Hinch and his family began the solemn drive from Philly to the team’s Triple-A site in Scranton, Pa.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • This one from interior designer Kelly Wearstler has four breakfast plates, four bowls, four coffee cups and saucers, four starter plates, four dinner plates, and four deep plates, all ceramic and dishwasher-safe.
    — Erika Owen, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Those were the same Rockets that famously ditched the concept of playing traditional centers by trading Clint Capela at the deadline, leaning into small-ball lineups that spaced the floor and launched from deep.
    — Shane Young, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • But there's one story that remains etched in his mind vividly.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The Kardashians matriarch uploaded a picture of a wooden box etched with As ever's logo and crest, which appeared to contain the three herbal teas, flower sprinkles, crepe mix, shortbread cookies and raspberry jam in keepsake packaging from the inaugural brand launch.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of etch

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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 13 Apr. 2025.

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