serious

[seer-ee-uhs] / ˈsɪər i əs /

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.

Liver samples from coastal gray wolves show mercury concentrations far higher than those found in inland wolves -- up to 278 times greater -- which could pose serious long-term health risks.

From Science Daily

This allows clinicians to see how the smallest blood vessels are functioning long before serious complications emerge.

From Science Daily

The Ukrainian president said that Russia sent a higher-level delegation than during previous talks, demonstrating what he perceived as a more serious approach.

From The Wall Street Journal

She said: "Advance UK offers a serious, professional and solutions-focused approach. I am no longer simply opposing what is wrong - I am helping to build something better."

From BBC

This sounds like both a fantasy and a serious meditation on belonging to me, and I’m ready to go.

From Los Angeles Times

serious

Example Sentences

Related Words