Synonyms for serious
- deliberate
- genuine
- honest
- severe
- sincere
- thoughtful
- sober
- 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 for serious
- deceptive
- dishonest
- false
- insincere
- misleading
- untrustworthy
- flippant
- funny
- happy
- light
- minor
- trivial
- unimportant
- unserious
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR SERIOUS
The other idea was absurd—too wild for serious consideration.
Moreover, little Helen got in the first remark in the way of serious conversation.
The minister had a serious countenance, and was very placid.
While a Treasury surplus is not the greatest evil, it is a serious evil.
Obviously there had been no serious quarrel between the brothers.
She knew that this jesting choice would have serious import.
Still I hope I shall not have any serious misunderstandings with my girls.
In Glasgow and other parts of the country there were serious riots.
Just then the curtain rose again, and the play of the "Serious Family," commenced.
For there is a play even with most serious things that has in it no offense.
WORD ORIGIN
mid-15c., "expressing earnest purpose or thought" (of persons), from Middle French sérieux "grave, earnest" (14c.), from Late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius "weighty, important, grave," probably from a PIE root *swer- (4) "heavy" (cf. Lithuanian sveriu "to weigh, lift," svarus "heavy;" Old English swære "heavy," German schwer "heavy," Gothic swers "honored, esteemed," literally "weighty"). As opposite of jesting, from 1712; as opposite of light (of music, theater, etc.), from 1762. Meaning "attended with danger" is from 1800.