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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury going over Niagara Falls poses a grave danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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
The 15 paramedics and emergency responders were shot dead on March 23 and buried in a shallow grave where their bodies were found a week later by officials from the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. —James MacKenzie, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 Here are some of the latest discoveries: 1,200-year-old graves reveal ‘rise of the nomad kings’ in Djibouti. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Ceramics from the site were dated to the early Formative period, researchers said, between 1800 and 1000 B.C. Researchers will continue to analyze the remains and grave goods found at the site to learn more about this largely unknown culture, according to the post. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 The play concludes, like the movie, with a grave word of caution from Murrow about how television can be used to teach and illuminate, but only if people choose to use it to those ends. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 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
  • See inside In Linfen, China, archaeologists uncovered a Yuan Dynasty tomb with a domed ceiling adorned with murals.
    — Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Related article Clashes erupt in western India as Hindu groups demand demolition of Mughal ruler’s tomb Modi’s BJP denies using the Mughal emperor’s name to defame India’s Muslims.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • The drama stars June Squibb as a 90-year-old woman from Florida who moves to New York City after the death of her best friend and strikes up an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • William has been regularly using his father’s lawyers Harbottle & Lewis and its partner, Gerrard Tyrrell — and made the move to Mishcon de Reya, which represented Princess Diana in her divorce from Charles a year before her accidental death.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • Into the Pigeon cave Roughly 14,700 years ago, a group of people were living and burning their dead in a cave located in what is now Morocco.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Russia’s Tass news agency earlier said the Russian dead included at least two children, citing the country’s consul in Hurghada.
    — Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of dead
Adjective
  • Could this cause some serious anxiety, or even an existential crisis?
    — Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Mets’ prospects with experience in center field need more time in the minors before they can be considered serious options.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.
    — Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.
    — Bryan McGovern, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • That conversation opened up deeper discussions about beauty standards, authenticity, and the pressure women face to conform.
    — Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This deeper level of engagement not only informs new office designs but can increases employees’ sense of ownership of it.
    — Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of deep
Verb
  • April 12 will remain etched in the memory of El Malilla, the reggaetón mexa star who brought the Sonora stage at Coachella to a thrilling close on Saturday night.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Rory McIlroy is etched in golf history as a career grand slam winner.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of etch

Browse Nearby Words

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 23 Apr. 2025.

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