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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Example Sentences
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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
-
That is the highest-level designation for severe accidents, placing it alongside the fatal Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) shuttle disasters in terms of gravity.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Moon is exceptionally large compared with Earth for a natural satellite, and at only 30 Earth-diameters away from the Earth, its gravity is significant enough to be the dominant factor in determining the oceanic tides that our planet experiences.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His ability to balance earnestness and whimsy, dedication and delight, have reaped palpable benefits for SummerFest.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Taparjan’s voiceover fills the soundtrack with the same earnestness.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
It's done with such seriousness and attention to detail you’d almost be convinced this moon mission succeeded 19 years before Apollo 11's monumental landing.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
At her presser, the Sacramento Bee's Joe Davidson asked Staley about wearing Johnson's shirt and balancing fun with seriousness.—
Megan Armstrong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That work was on display this week as Thomas Jefferson High School junior Bella Smith helped younger students hunt for Easter eggs – a simple moment that mirrors her own determination.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Those determinations complete the World Cup’s 48-team draw, as well as the full schedule, as North America for the first time serves as host.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Despite the bitter path to this threshold—the debate started in earnest in 1915—almost no one cheered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, started in earnest on March 10 with opening statements, and three other accusers are poised to testify, the New York Times reported.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Preventing the entry of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Keeper of the Holy Land, moreover in a central solemnity for the faith such as Palm Sunday, constitutes an offense not only for believers, but for every community that recognizes religious freedom.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Jacir’s film, which was short-listed (but not nominated) for the Oscar for Best International Feature, has no use for art-film solemnity.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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 4 Apr. 2026.
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