1
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
I'm serious when I say that no one should be walking in that neighborhood at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having a matter of importance as its topic
a very serious film that dealt with the aftermath of the Gulf War
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a serious accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a serious injury
serious questions
a serious concern
a substantial concern
a significant concern
a considerable concern
a major concern
an important concern
serious doubts
a serious effort
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 serious
The other two were taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries, police said.
—
Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
State police are looking for the driver involved in a crash on Interstate 91 in North Haven on Tuesday that left a motorcyclist with serious injuries.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025
Her passenger, also a Lakota West Student, sustained serious injuries.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Surgeries or procedures to prevent aneurysm rupture also carry serious risks.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
State police are looking for the driver involved in a crash on Interstate 91 in North Haven on Tuesday that left a motorcyclist with serious injuries.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025
Her passenger, also a Lakota West Student, sustained serious injuries.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Surgeries or procedures to prevent aneurysm rupture also carry serious risks.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for serious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serious
Adjective
-
The moment was filled with conflicting emotions, a mix of gratitude and solemn reflection.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
The eventual confirmation of his passing, delivered by solemn White House and medical officials, triggered an outpouring of condolences from across the political spectrum, even from those who had been his staunchest opponents.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Another important preventative measure athletes can take is preparing for life after sport.—
Brook Choulet,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
On the flip-side, the World Health Organization cites traffic noise such as road, rail and air traffic as the second most important cause of ill health in western Europe behind air pollution.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Michigan's Lower Peninsula is expected to see potentially severe weather on July 24, with rain developing over the Upper Peninsula as well.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
-
The chronic disease can cause severe symptoms like extreme pain and in some cases contribute to infertility.—
Health Reporter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
The speaker explained that conservatives who voted against the rule want the crypto bills -- CLARITY, GENIUS and Anti CBDC Surveillance Act -- combined into one big package, rather than take separate standalone votes on each measure.—
Jay O'Brien,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
-
For their spring 2025 collections, high-end houses (like Chloé and Tory Burch) and high-street brands (like Sam Edelman and Steve Madden) got in on the fun, too, cementing PVC as one of summer’s biggest sandal trends.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Fire crews sometimes allow lightning-strike fires to burn, and made the decision to do that on the Dragon Bravo Fire, intended to reduce hazardous fuels and vegetation along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
-
Map of damage: See how the Texas floods unfolded and why Camp Mystic was in a hazardous location The death toll has risen to 129 on Saturday, including more than three dozen children.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Real estate deals made up some of those transactions — closings, earnest fund refunds, construction loans payouts, fees to agents and to title companies, all manned by professionals who often work outside regular office hours.—
Tom Groenfeldt,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
-
That same earnest vulnerability people (and Love Islanders) can’t always handle is what makes falling in love so electric and profound.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
That announcement largely cleared the field of major potential challengers to Rogers.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
-
In 1947: President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act 1947, a major piece of legislation that restructured many of the country’s military and intelligence institutions.—
AZCentral.com,
AZCentral.com,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share