more serious

ADJECTIVE

somber, humorless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deliberate genuine honest severe sincere thoughtful

STRONG

sober

WEAK

austere bound bound and determined businesslike cold sober contemplative deadpan determined downbeat earnest funereal go for broke grave grim intent long-faced meditative no-nonsense pensive pokerfaced reflective resolute resolved sedate set solemn staid steady stern unhumorous unsmiling weighty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deceptive dishonest false insincere misleading untrustworthy

WEAK

flippant funny happy light minor trivial unimportant unserious

ADJECTIVE

crucial, weighty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dangerous deep difficult far-reaching grievous important major meaningful severe significant tough urgent

WEAK

arduous fateful fell formidable grave grim hard heavy laborious meaning business menacing momentous no joke no laughing matter of consequence operose out for blood playing hard ball pressing smoking sobering strenuous strictly business threatening ugly unamusing unhumorous worrying

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy facile friendly insignificant little meaningless minor small trivial unimportant worthless

WEAK

flippant funny happy light unserious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since then, opposition to the program has grown, with detractors pointing to examples of people entering diversion and then going on to commit more serious crimes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

More rarely, people can get more serious complications, like low blood sugar, pancreatitis or severe allergic reactions.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

During a heat wave, there are three conditions to watch out for: dehydration; heat exhaustion, which can be characterized by headaches and nausea; and the more serious heatstroke.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

With the plea deal, Bolton still faces possible prison time, but he has substantially lowered the potential sentence by avoiding a conviction on the more serious charge of transmitting national-defense information, legal experts said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

And the trouble with France grew more serious every day.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham